Avastin vs Lucentis: The Germans have joined the battle!

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Irv Arons - 24 Sep 2007 17:09 GMT

I recently reported that the British had decided to run comparitive
studies between Avastin and Lucentis, and now, I've learned that the
Germans will be doing the same thing.

Here's the link to my posting:

http://irvaronsjournal.blogspot.com/2007/09/avastinlucentis-update-16-and-now.html

Also, the CATT study group is meeting in Philadelphia today and
tomorrow. I hope to have more information about when the trial starts
and what centers will be seeking patients.

Irv Arons

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Don W - 25 Sep 2007 06:12 GMT

Irv,

So in your blog, as far as the European Study, it was mentioned,
"The three treatments are reimbursed. It is up to the patient to
choose. We ask them to sign a consent form because of it being a
study," a spokesperson for Barmer health insurers told APM.

So, how does the patient choose properly when an evidence based
ophthalmologist cannot make a choice?

Don W.

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Irv Arons - 25 Sep 2007 06:21 GMT

> Irv,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Don W.

Don,

I don't know the answer -- I'm just trying to keep everyone informed
on the latest information.

Irv

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David Robins, MD - 26 Sep 2007 06:42 GMT

On 9/24/07 10:12 PM, in article
1190697148.905382.185130@y42g2000hsy.googlegroups.com, "Don W"
<dwilgus@prodigy.net> wrote:

> Irv,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Don W.

When the evidence is NOT there, there is no informed decision really.

That is why the gold standard for studies is the randomized controlled trial
double-blind study, where the assignment to treatment arms is made randomly,
and neither the patient nor the doctor knows which treatment was done, so as
not to bias the interpretation of results before the code is broken at the
end. This then (hopefully) yields evidence based medicine.

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Don W - 26 Sep 2007 16:21 GMT

Maybe I am misreading the study. I received the impression that the
German patient decides what treatment he gets, and then is reimbursed
for that treatment.

Irv?

Don W,

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