Ranibizumab and conbercept for treating wet age-related macular degeneration in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ranibizumab and conbercept on wet age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing ranibizumab and conbercept in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration were searched in the PubMed, Medline, EMbase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang databases, and Weipu Journal. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality. Data analysis was performed using Rev Man 5.3 software for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 16 randomized controlled trials, including 1018 patients, were included, and the results showed that the effect of ranibizumab on uncorrected visual acuity was not significantly different from that of conbercept (Mean difference [MD] = -.03, 95% Confidence interval [CI] [-.10-.05], P = .47), and there was no significant difference between the two drugs in the effect on best-corrected visual acuity (MD = .00, 95% CI [-.02-.03], P = .73). The effect of conbercept on intraocular pressure was better than that of ranibizumab (MD = 1.61, 95% CI [1.05-2.17], P < .001). The effect of ranibizumab on central macular thickness was not significantly different from that of conbercept (MD = 1.31, 95% CI [-3.81-6.43], P = .62). Conbercept had a better inhibitory effect on choroidal neovascularization than ranibizumab (MD = .49, 95% CI [.32-.76], P = .001). CONCLUSION: The effects of ranibizumab on uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, and central macular thickness were not significantly different from those of conbercept. Conbercept is associated with a lower risk of increased intraocular pressure and regression of choroidal neovascularization compared with ranibizumab.