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Phase 3 N=194 Randomized Single-blind Treatment

Macular Edema Ranibizumab v. Intravitreal Anti-inflammatory Therapy Trial

Uveitis · Macular Edema

Enrolled (actual)
194
Serious AEs
8.3%
Results posted
Jul 2023
Primary outcome: Primary: Proportion of Baseline Central Subfield Thickness Observed at 12 Weeks — 0.65; 0.88; 0.79 Proportion of baseline retinal thickness — p=<0.001

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 3
Interventions
Dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg (Drug); Intravitreal Methotrexate 400 µg (Drug); Intravitreal Ranibizumab 0.5 mg (Drug)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
JHSPH Center for Clinical Trials
Primary completion
Oct 2021

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Proportion of Baseline Central Subfield Thickness Observed at 12 Weeks
0.65; 0.88; 0.79 <0.001 sig

Summary

The Macular Edema Ranibizumab v. Intravitreal anti-inflammatory Therapy (MERIT) Trial will compare the relative efficacy and safety of intravitreal methotrexate, intravitreal ranibizumab, and the intravitreal dexamethasone implant for the treatment of uveitic macular edema persisting or reoccurring after an intravitreal corticosteroid injection. MERIT is a parallel design (1:1:1), randomized comparative trial with an anniversary close-out after 6 months of follow-up. The primary outcome is percent change in central subfield thickness from the baseline OCT measurement to the 12 week visit.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria

Patient level inclusion criterion

  • 18 years of age or older;

Eye level inclusion criteria - at least one eye must meet all of the following conditions

  • Inactive or minimally active non-infectious anterior, intermediate, posterior or panuveitis, as defined by the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) Working Group criteria as ≤ 0.5+ anterior chamber cells, ≤ 0.5+ vitreous haze grade and no active retinal/choroidal lesions for a minimum of 4 weeks;
  • Macular edema (ME) defined as the presence of macular thickness greater than the normal range for the OCT machine being used (see cut points below), regardless of the presence of cysts, following an intravitreal corticosteroid injection (≥ 4 weeks following intravitreal triamcinolone injection or ≥ 12 weeks following intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection);

Greater than 300 μm for Zeiss Cirrus Greater than 320 μm for Heidelberg Spectralis Greater than 300 μm for Topcon SD OCT

  • Baseline fluorescein angiogram that, as assessed by the study ophthalmologist, is gradable for degree of leakage in the central subfield;
  • Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 5/200 or better;
  • Baseline intraocular pressure > 5 mm Hg and ≤ 21 mm Hg (current use of ≤3 intraocular pressure-lowering medications and/or prior glaucoma surgery are acceptable (Note: combination medications, e.g., Combigan, are counted as two IOP-lowering medications);
  • Media clarity and pupillary dilation sufficient to allow OCT testing and assessment of the fundus.

Exclusion criteria

Patient level exclusion criteria

  • History of infectious uveitis in either eye;
  • History of infectious scleritis of any type in either eye (Note: History of noninfectious scleritis that has been active in past 12 months is an eye-level exclusion -see #13 below);
  • History of keratitis (with the exception of keratitis due to dry eye) in either eye;
  • History of central serous retinopathy in either eye;
  • Active infectious conjunctivitis in either eye;
  • Oral prednisone dose > 10 mg per day (or of an alternative corticosteroid at a dose higher than that equipotent to prednisone 10 mg per day) OR oral prednisone dose ≤ 10 mg per day at baseline that has not been stable for at least 4 weeks (note: if patient is off of oral prednisone at baseline (M01 study visit) dose stability requirement for past 4 weeks does not apply);
  • Systemic immunosuppressive drug therapy that has not been stable for at least 4 weeks (note: use of systemic methotrexate is acceptable as long as regimen has been stable for at least 4 weeks);
  • Use of oral acetazolamide or other systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor at baseline;
  • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the study drugs;
  • For women of childbearing potential: pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a positive pregnancy test; unwilling to practice an adequate birth control method (abstinence, combination barrier and spermicide, or hormonal) for duration of trial;

Eye level exclusion criteria - at least one eye that meets all inclusion criteria cannot have any of the following conditions

  • History of infectious endophthalmitis;
  • History of severe glaucoma as defined by optic nerve damage (cup/disc ratio of ≥ 0.9 or any notching of optic nerve to the rim);
  • History of active noninfectious scleritis in past 12 months (Note: History of noninfectious scleritis is acceptable if the last episode of active scleritis resolved at least 12 months prior to enrollment);
  • Presence of an epiretinal membrane noted clinically or by OCT that per the judgment of study ophthalmologist may be significant enough to limit improvement of ME (i.e., causing substantial wrinkling of the retinal surface);
  • Torn or ruptured posterior lens capsule
  • Presence of silicone oil;
  • Ozurdex administered in past 12 weeks;
  • Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent, intravitreal methotrexate, or intravitreal/periocular corticosteroid administered in past 4
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02623426). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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