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Comparing safety and efficacy of Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab and Ranibizumab biosimilar in Retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the safety and efficacy of Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab and Ranibizumab biosimilar in treatment of Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

Methods

Retrospective study that included newborns with type 1 ROP who received intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) or Ranibizumab (Accentrix) or Ranibizumab biosimilar (Razumab). Babies were followed up as per protocol and retreatment with laser or repeat anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was done in case of reactivation and surgery in case of progression to traction. Outcome measures include need for retreatment, proportion of eyes achieving vascularization up to ora and adverse events

Results

148 eyes of 75 babies, received intravitreal injection of which 139 eyes of 70 babies were included in our analysis. 68 eyes received bevacizumab (IVB), 31 eyes received Accentrix (IVA), 40 eyes received Razumab(IVR). The rate of retreatment was 17.6%, 32.2% and 25% for IVB, IVA and IVR respectively (p = 0.1). IVB group showed a significantly delayed reactivation (p < 0.001), while Ranibizumab and its biosimilar Razumab were comparable (p = 0.17). Vascularization up to ora was observed in 60%, 61% and 50% eyes (p = 0.76) at a median of 27, 28 and 24 weeks post-treatment (p = 0.09) in IVB, IVA and IVR groups respectively. No eyes developed intraocular inflammation or cataract.

Conclusion

All three drugs were similar in their efficacy and safety profile with bevacizumab showing a later reactivation.

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Fig. 1: Graphical representation of outcomes of treatment with IVB, IVA, and IVR.

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Data availability

The data pertaining to this manuscript are included in the article and any additional data can be made available on request.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All Authors have made direct and substantial contributions to the manuscript. Concept and design: Parag K. Shah, Data collection: Sujay Jaju, Kushal U. Agrawal, Abhishek Das, Prema Subramaniam, Analysis an interpretation: Puja Maitra, Manuscript writing: Puja Maitra Manuscript editing/ revision: Parag K. Shah, Supervision: Parag K. Shah, Narendran Venkatapathy.

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Correspondence to Parag K. Shah.

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Maitra, P., Jaju, S., Agrawal, K.U. et al. Comparing safety and efficacy of Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab and Ranibizumab biosimilar in Retinopathy of prematurity. Eye 39, 1688–1693 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-03735-z

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