Abstract
Purpose :
Biosimilars have the potential to reduce the healthcare costs relative to reference biologics, and consequently increase the treatment access.
Data establishing the role of biosimilars of bevacizumab and their efficacy and safety for use in retinal diseases are lacking. The purpose of the current study is to survey the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab biosimilar (Abevmy®) for retinal diseases.
Methods :
A structured questionnaire was distributed to 9 ophthalmologists in private practice in Monastir, Sousse, Djerba, and Medenine, Tunisia. The survey asked the ophthalmologists about indications of intravitreal injections, number of patients, number of injected eyes, efficacy and side effects of the product. Ophthalmologists were also asked about their opinions for the equivalence in comparison with bevacizumab in different indications.
Results :
The study included 624 eyes of 472 patients. Indications included diabetic macular edema (DME) (223 patients; 327 eyes), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) (159 patients; 204 eyes), and other causes (90 patients; 93 eyes). Mean number of injections was 2.1 per eye. For DME, 7/9 ophthalmologists think that biosimilar is equally effective than bevacizumab, and 2/9 think that biosimilar is slightly more effective. For nAMD, 7/9 ophthalmologists think that biosimilar is equally effective than bevacizumab, 1/9 think that biosimilar is slightly more effective, and 1/9 think that biosimilar is more effective. For other indications of anti-VEGF injections, 6/9 think that biosimilar is equally effective than bevacizumab, 2/9 think that biosimilar is slightly more effective, and 1/9 think that biosimilar is more effective. Recorded ocular side effects included endophthalmitis (1 eye), corneal erosion (1 eye), superficial punctate keratitis (4 eyes), and large floaters (2 eyes).
Conclusions :
This survey supports safety and good tolerance of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab biosimilar (Abevmy®) in eyes with different indications for anti-VEGF therapy, and all participants think that it is at least as effective as bevacizumab.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.