Clinical Trial: Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization With Topical Pazopanib

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Safety and Efficacy of Topical Pazopanib in Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of a drug [Pazopanib (Votrient)] as a treatment for corneal neovascularization. The cornea is the clear, central portion of the eye and neovascularization means blood vessel growth. The cornea is typically avascular, or without blood vessels. Corneal neovascularization in the cornea and can put vision at risk. Numerous diseases of the cornea such as inflammation, ischemia (restriction of blood supply), infection, degeneration (or deterioration), trauma, or corneal stem cell deficiency can lead to corneal neovascularization. This major ocular complication can lead to corneal scarring, edema (swelling), lipid deposits, and inflammation that may significantly alter your vision. In addition, it worsens the outcome of potential future treatments, such as a corneal transplant. A corneal transplant is a treatment that many patients with severe corneal disease may ultimately need.

Detailed Summary: Normally avascular, under many pathologic conditions, vessels may invade the cornea from the limbal vascular plexus. Infection, inflammation, ischemia, degeneration, or trauma, and the loss of the limbal stem cell barrier can cause corneal neovascularization. Growth of new vessels may result in corneal scarring, edema, lipid deposition, and inflammation that may alter visual acuity and is a leading cause of monocular visual impairment and blindness. Additionally, it results in the loss of immune response across the cornea, thereby worsening the prognosis of a subsequent penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Growth of new blood and lymphatic vessels from preexisting vessels are mediated by members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. In previous studies, inhibition of new blood or lymphatic vessels has been achieved by neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). It has also been shown that platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) plays a role in corneal and choroidal neovascularization by regulating mural cell recruitment. Inhibition of PDGF-B and VEGF-A signaling pathways has shown to more effectively promote vessel regression than solely inhibiting VEGF-A. Pazopanib is a drug designed to block these pathways, stop new growth, and regress old vessel growth.
Sponsor: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Ocular Adverse Events [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks of follow-up ]
    Incidence and severity of ocular adverse events, as identified by eye examination and visual acuity testing through week 12
  • Non-Ocular (Systemic) Adverse Events [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks ]
    Incidence and severity of other adverse events, as identified by physical examination, subject reporting, and changes in vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate) through week 12


Original Primary Outcome: Safety and Tolerability of Topical Pazopanib in the Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization as Identified by Ocular Examination [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks of follow-up ]

  • Incidence and severity of ocular adverse events, as identified by eye examination and visual acuity testing through week 12
  • Incidence and severity of other adverse events, as identified by physical examination, subject reporting, and changes in vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate) through week 12


Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Corneal Neovascular Area [ Time Frame: Through 12 weeks of Follow-Up ]
    Changes in neovascular area: measuring the area of the corneal vessels.
  • Corneal Vessel Caliber [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks ]
    Change in vessel caliber: measuring the mean diameter of the corneal vessels.
  • Corneal Invasion Area [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks ]
    Change in invasion area: measuring the fraction of the total corneal area invaded by the vessels.
  • Corneal Vessel Length [ Time Frame: 12 Weeks ]
    Change in Vessel Length: defined as the mean measurement of the extent of vessels from end to end.


Original Secondary Outcome: Efficacy - Changes in the Extent of Corneal Neovascularization at Weeks 1, 3, 7 and 12 [ Time Frame: Through 12 weeks of Follow-Up ]

  • Neovascular Area (NA), measuring the area of the corneal vessels themselves 2
  • Vessel Caliber (VC), measuring the mean diameter of the corneal vessels
  • Invasion Area (IA) measuring the fraction of the total corneal area invaded by the vessels
  • Mean change in Best Spectacle-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 3 and 12

In order to meet the secondary endpoints, the treatment will be considered efficacious if the area of neovascularization or vessel caliber decreases by 20% compared to baseline.



Information By: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Dates:
Date Received: November 22, 2010
Date Started: November 2010
Date Completion:
Last Updated: October 5, 2012
Last Verified: October 2012