- Design
- Randomised trial comparing two conbercept regimens
- Population
- 255 patients with macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion
- Primary outcome
- Change in best-corrected visual acuity letters at 6 months
- Effect
- +16.9 vs +8.9 letters at 6 months (p<0.0001); +17.1 vs +14.1 at 12 months (p=0.0252)
The BRAVE trial randomised 255 patients with macular oedema from branch retinal vein occlusion 1:1. The conbercept group received 0.5 mg intravitreal conbercept, and from month 6 as needed. The control group received one conbercept injection, then as-needed treatment.
At 6 months the least-squares mean change in best-corrected visual acuity was 16.9 letters with conbercept against 8.9 in the control group (p<0.0001). At 12 months the gap narrowed to 17.1 against 14.1 letters (p=0.0252). Central retinal thickness fell by 296.4 µm against 233.9 µm at 6 months, but at 12 months the reduction was 270.0 against 301.4 µm (p=0.0095), favouring the control group.
The comparator was a delayed-start regimen rather than a sham, so the trial speaks to timing and frequency of injections within one drug. The abstract reports low safety event rates without figures. It is useful for planning injection schedules, not for choosing between anti-VEGF drugs.
- Earlier, more frequent dosing gave larger visual gains at 6 months.
- The 12-month visual difference was smaller (about 3 letters).
- Retinal thickness at 12 months was lower in the delayed-start group.
- The trial does not compare conbercept with other anti-VEGF drugs.
Why it matters
It points to the cost of delayed or sparse early dosing, which matters in settings where injection access is limited.
Don't overread it
The comparator was a different dosing schedule of the same drug, not placebo or another agent.
The statistics, in plain English
A 3-letter difference at 12 months, though statistically significant, is small against typical measurement variation of about 5 letters, so the clinical meaning is uncertain.
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