Iluvien Gains Ground

Iluvien Gains Ground

Iluvien Approved in EuropeIluvien continues to make progress outside the US for treatment of macular edema due to diabetic retinopathy.

Iluvien, a sustained release drug delivery system from Alimera Sciences, is a proprietary intraocular injection for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.  Iluvien releases a steroid for up to 36 months and may be a significant treatment for the most common “complication” of diabetic retinopathy.

Normal retinal vessels tend to leak the clear fluid part of blood into the retinal tissue.  If the fluid accumulates in the macula, vision is often decreased.  Treatment is aimed at preventing further accumulation of fluid and thus preventing further loss of vision.  Often the “swelling” can be fixed and vision improves.

Presently, diabetic macular edema is treated with laser, anti-VEGF medicines or steroids.  Unfortunately, treatment for diabetic macular edema is similar to “weeding a garden”…the leakage tends to come back.

Austrian Approval

Iluvien was just approved for use in Austria several weeks ago.  This marks the first sustained release pharmaceutical in that country for the treatment of DME (diabetic macular edema).

United Kingdom Follows Suit

More recently, the United Kingdom allowed marketing authorization for Iluvien, too.  This is the second EU (European Union) country to accept the drug.

Not FDA Approved

Iluvien is not approved for use in the United States.  Most recently, the FDA was not satisfied with the safety data presented by Alimera Sciences, Inc. and recommended additional clinical trials.

What Does This Mean?

Treatment of macular edema from diabetes is difficult and can be frustrating.  Intraocular injections have been a great alternative to the gold standard of laser treatment.

Laser treatment for diabetic macular edema is not appropriate for all patients and alternative treatments are needed.

Ozurdex, a product similar to Iluvien, is FDA approved but not for diabetic macular edema yet has been used “off label.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments
  • William Roudebush
    Posted at 08:05h, 11 May Reply

    I am an 84 year old PhD mathematician who worked 24 years for NASA. I have wet AMD in both eyes and have had 40 injections of Lucentis over the past three plus years. I must decide now how frequently to have shots. My physician says that every patient is different and he cannot offer advice other than the standard recommended monthly injections. Isn’t there some statistical analysis that could guide long term patients?

    • Randall V. Wong, M.D.
      Posted at 21:28h, 13 May Reply

      Dear William,

      Not really. I’d like to know if your vision is good in both eyes?

      I personally would consider monitoring you with the goal of extending the time in between injections.

      Wet ARMD, in my opinion, is not active for ever, but there aren’t any studies that have defined this, and hence, no solid data to provide a statistical analysis.

      r

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