Irwin Retina Center: Landmark Macular Degeneration Study Shows Two Drugs Equally Effective
In April, the National Institutes of Health released its much anticipated one-year results of the Comparison of AMD Treatment Trials (CATT), which compared the effectiveness of two drugs.
When it comes to treating wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the less costly drug Avastin is as effective as its pricier counterpart Lucentis in stopping the progression of wet AMD and improving vision.
The Irwin Retina Center at Ingalls was the only Illinois test site and was one of the country's leading enrollers in the study. Patients were randomly assigned and treated with one of four regimens for a year. They received Lucentis monthly or as needed, or Avastin monthly or as needed.
The results showed that Avastin and Lucentis were equally effective and safe to use. Further, the study showed that "as-needed" dosing does nearly as well as monthly injections.
"Lucentis was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2006 for the treatment of advanced, or wet, macular degeneration," explains David Orth, M.D., principal investigator for CATT and medical director of the Irwin Retina Center at Ingalls.
Avastin is a drug closely related to Lucentis and has been widely used off-label in Europe, Canada and the United States to treat wet macular degeneration for years.
Both therapies are manufactured by Genentech, Inc., and work by interfering with proteins needed for the growth of new blood vessels. However, the cost of the two drugs varies widely. Lucentis costs roughly $2,000 per dose, while Avastin runs about $50. Most patients with macular degeneration are covered by Medicare, so the federal government has been interested in findings that might reduce treatment costs.
"Patients being treated for wet macular degeneration don't see very well," Dr. Orth explained. "So they rely on someone to bring them in for treatment. If we can treat them less often with an equally effective therapy, that's a real benefit – both in terms of cost and convenience.
The one-year results are quite promising."
Since 84-year-old Glee Hibbeler was enrolled in the study two-and-a-half years ago, the vision in her right eye has improved. So much so that the energetic Palos Hills woman still reads, drives and regularly socializes with friends and family, including a twice-weekly bridge game.
"I think it's wonderful," she said. "I'm so lucky this happened to me when we have this treatment available."
Eighty-year-old Frank Swan of Hinsdale agrees. Frank, who no longer receives regular injections, says the treatment has kept the condition in his left eye from worsening. Like Glee, he remains active, drives and enjoys regular games of golf.
"I do anything I want to do," he said.
For more information regarding the treatment options for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, contact Linda Arredondo, R.N., at the Irwin Retina Center at Ingalls Memorial Hospital 708.915.6943.
Watch an online interview of Dr. Orth at www.ingalls.org/ProgressVideo.
Success Stories
Advanced Orthopedic Institute
Organ Repairman Back in Tune with Anterior Hip Surgery
State Wrestling Champ Grapples with Torn ACL and Triumphs!
Back Pain a Thing of the Past Following Disc Replacement
Ingalls Making an Impact on Concussion
South Holland Man Touts Convenience of Ingalls Same Day Surgery
Flossmoor Woman Walking Tall Again After Anterior Hip Replacement
Anterior Hip Surgery Helps Busy Olympia Fields Woman Stay Independent
No Distance Too Great to Travel for Anterior Hip Replacement
Titanium Ankle Implant Gets Gift Shop Manager Back on Her Feet
Deuce Partial Knee Offers High-performance Option for Active Patients
Revolutionary Technique Restores Damaged Knee Cartilage
New Custom-Fit Knee Implant Means Better, Longer-Lasting Wear
Shoulder Repair: When Conventional Isn't An Option
Partial Knee Offers Permanent Fix
'A Complete Turnabout' Spine Procedure Relieves Indiana Man's Neck Pain
Behavioral Health
Ingalls Behavioral Health Expands Adolescent Services
Chicago Man Celebrates One Year of Sobriety
Cancer Center
Unique Liver Tumor Treatment Provides Hope for South Side Native
'Accidental Find' of Melanoma Saves Park Forest Woman
Proper Nutrition is a Must for Cancer Patients
Ingalls Honored for Outstanding Cancer Achievement
Our Experts Take Cancer Care Personally
Dolton Man Faces Lung Cancer with a Positive Attitude
Ingalls Doctors Put the 'Deep Freeze' on Tumors and Save Patient's Kidneys
Ingalls Introduces Ambassadors for Cancer Research
Ingalls Enrolling Patients in National Pancreatic Cancer Study
Chicago Woman is 'Poster Child' for Successful Breast Cancer Treatment
Helping Cancer Survivors Triumph Over Stress and Depression
Dialysis
Dialysis Access Experts at Ingalls Create Lifeline for Alsip Man
Complementary Medicine
Botox an Unexpected Treatment for Migraine Sufferers
Heart and Vascular
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Quick Response Saves 38-Year-Old Man
Big 10 College Official Scores with Leg Vein Procedure
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Ingalls/Rotary Fair is a Lifesaver for Hazel Crest Village Clerk
South Holland Woman Treated for Rare Heart Tumor
Team Effort - Ingalls Doctors Work Together to Save Lynwood Woman's Life
Home Care and Hospice
Tele-Monitoring Helps Reduce CHF Hospitalizations
Palliative Care Comforts and Improves Quality of Life
Expert Wound Care Heals South Holland Man's Foot
Ingalls Hospice Offers Comfort, Care and Support
Interventional Radiology
Unique Liver Tumor Treatment Provides Hope for South Side Native
Big 10 College Official Scores with Leg Vein Procedure
Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Hysterectomy
Vein Treatment at Ingalls Takes the Ache Out of Frankfort Man's Legs
Minimally Invasive Aneurysm Repair Saves Life of Country Club Hills Man
Team Effort - Ingalls Doctors Work Together to Save Lynwood Woman's Life
New Therapy for Patients with Inoperable Liver Cancer
Irwin Retina Center
Irwin Retina Center: Landmark Macular Degenration Study Shows Two Drugs Equally Effective
National Study At Ingalls Compares Treatments for 'Wet' Macular Degeneration
Neurosciences
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Disturbing the Peace Sleep Disorders Steal the Winks
Occupational Health
Occupational Therapy: Fine-Tuning Children's Motor Skills
Workplace wellness initiatives pay off
Outpatient Services
Ingalls Same Say Surgery: 25 Years of Exceptional Service
South Holland Man Touts Convenience of Ingalls Same Day Surgery
Rehabilitative Services
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Munster Woman Achieves 'Medical Miracles'
Ingalls Physical Therapy Helps Oak Forest Man Overcome Dizzy Spells
Breathe Easier with Ingalls Asthma Education
It Matters Where You Go For Stroke Care
Ingalls Rehab 'Home Away from Home' for Orland Hills Man
Occupational Therapy: Fine-Tuning Children's Motor Skills
Rheumatology Treatment
Newer Treatments Encouraging for Patients woth Psoriatic Arthritis
Urinary Incontinence
From Therapy to Surgery: Incontinence Program Offers Range of Options
Wellness
Botox an Unexpected Treatment for Migraine Sufferers
Walking Can Lower Your Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Womens Services
Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Hysterectomy
Simple Surgical Repair Fixes Bladder Prolapse for Midlothian Woman
Healthy Baby Network Invaluable for Expectant Women and Adolescents
Ingalls Designated as Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
A Full Range of Care Designed Just for Women
Minimally Invasive Alternative to Hysterectomy
Wound Care
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Helps Heal Foot Ulcer
