study assessing ar-1105 in subjects with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (rvo)

Conditions: Macular Edema

Summary: this study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of ar-1105 (dexamethasone implant) for the treatment of macular edema (me) due to retinal vein occlusion (rvo). a more durable intravitreal implant containing a low dose of dexamethasone may result in less frequent retreatments, and potentially lower the incidence of steroid-related side effects without compromising efficacy.

ar-1105 is a dexamethasone containing implant drug delivery system that is injected into the back of the eye. it is designed to dissolve slowly over time, continuously releasing a consistent low dose of steroid to treat the symptoms of rvo and associated inflammation with a goal of halting further visual disturbance and damage, and also possibly restoring some vision as symptoms are controlled. in this study, 2 different formulations are being tested to find the optimum combination of efficacy, safety and durability that will offer patients a potential treatment option that is as safe and effective as the treatments currently available, but which requires less frequent injections and potentially has a lower risk for certain side-effects.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. at least 18 years of age 2. vision loss due to clinically detectable macular edema (me) associated with either central retinal vein occlusion (crvo) or branch retinal vein occlusion (brvo). subjects may be treatment-naïve, or if previously-treated with a steroid, must have demonstrated response to treatment 3. duration of macular edema (me) ≥9 months in subjects with crvo and ≥12 months in subjects with brvo. if both eyes are eligible, the study eye will be the eye with worse va 4. best-corrected visual acuity (bcva) as measured by the early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (etdrs) methodology of between 25 and 70 letters, in the study eye and better than 35 letters, in the non-study eye 5. retinal thickness in the central subfield of \>290 µm (females) and \>305 μm (males) if using a cirrus (zeiss) instrument, or if a spectralis (heidelberg) instrument is used, thickness should be \>305 μm (females) or \>320 μm (males) in the study eye 6. be able to understand and willing to provide written informed consent. 7. be willing and able to adhere to the instructions set forth in the study protocol exclusion criteria: ophthalmic: 1. presence of a clinically significant epiretinal membrane, active retinal or optic disc neovascularization, active or history of choroidal neovascularization, presence of rubeosis iridis 2. history or presence of herpetic infection, toxoplasmosis, chorioretinopathy. 3. subjects with moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or worse in either eye are excluded from participation 4. any active infection 5. aphakia, significant posterior capsule tear or iris trauma in the study eye 6. anterior-chamber intraocular lens 7. clinically significant media opacity 8. history of glaucoma or visual field loss 9. ocular hypertension in the study eye at qualification, (with or without treatment) 10. history of corticosteroid-induced iop increase in either eye 11. ocular condition in the study eye that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent a 15-letter improvement in visual acuity 12. received an intraocular steroid injection or implant within 6 months or any anti-vegf treatment within 2 months prior to screening. prior treatment with retisert® or iluvien® or pan-retinal photocoagulation (prp) is exclusionary 13. intraocular surgery (including laser refractive or eyelid surgery) within 3 months prior to visit 1 or anticipated need for ocular surgery or ophthalmic laser treatment during the study treatment period 14. currently using topical corticosteroids in the vicinity of the eyes within the 1 month prior to visit 1 15. periocular depot of steroids placed within 6 months prior to qualification 16. ocular medications that are specifically disallowed in this protocol for any condition during the study or within the specified timeframe prior to visit 2 17. have progressive optic nerve disease or retinal disease other than retinopathy due to rvo that affects bcva systemic: 18. currently using or anticipating the use of systemic corticosteroids during the study (with the exception of inhaled, intranasal or topical corticosteroids) 19. any clinically significant or uncontrolled serious or severe medical or psychiatric condition 20. participation in any other interventional clinical study within 30 days prior to visit 1 21. history of hypersensitivity or poor tolerance to any components of the preparations to be used in this study such as dexamethasone or biodegradable polymer (plga) excipients or fluorescein 22. systemic condition that may confound the study outcome per the investigator's opinion 23. women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, planning a pregnancy, or not using a medically acceptable form of birth control

Keywords: macular edema retinal vein occlusion dexamethasone intravitreal implant