1. The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network
Dedicated to multicenter clinical research of diabetic
retinopathy, macular edema and associated
Supported through a cooperative agreement from the National Eye Institute and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services EY14231, EY14229, EY018817 

2. DRCR.net Overview Objective:
The development of a collaborative network to facilitate multicenter clinical research on diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and associated conditions.
Funding:
National Eye Institute-sponsored cooperative agreement initiated September 2002.
Current award

3. Priority Initiatives
Involvement of community-based practices, as well as “academic” or university-based centers.
Collaborate with industry to facilitate investigations and pursue opportunities otherwise not possible and to do so in a manner consistent with the Network’s dedication to academic integrity and optimal clinical trial performance.

4. Organization: Clinical Sites of the Network
Overall Network Participation (as of 8/8/11)
249 sites submitted application for Network
868 total Investigators; 2666 additional personnel
Current Participation
111 active sites; 10 pending sites
73 community based sites
325 Investigators
543 additional personnel
38 States & 4 countries

5. Network Organization: Central Resource Units
Coordinating Center
Adam Glassman, M.S. (Director)
Roy Beck, M.D., Ph.D. (President, Jaeb Center)
Network Chair
Neil M. Bressler, M.D. (current)
Lloyd Paul Aiello, M.D., Ph.D. (inaugural & past chair)
NEI
Eleanor B. Schron, Ph.D., R.N.

6. Network Organization: DRCR.net Committees
Executive Committee (18 members)
Operations Group (8 members)
Protocol Development Committees (as needed)
Manuscript Writing Committees (as needed)
NEI Appointed Committees
Data and Safety Monitoring Committee
External Protocol Review Committee

7. DRCR.net Policies (www.drcr.net)
Publications, Presentations, Publicity
Financial Disclosure
Competing Studies
Industry Collaboration
Confidentiality
Web site use
Site visits/Data audit
Research Integrity/Scientific Fraud

8. How Is a DRCR.net Protocol Created?
Investigators solicited for protocol ideas
Idea submitted to Operations Group (OG), which reviews ideas semiannually
Ideas approved by OG are presented to Investigators at semiannual meetings for buy-in and interest
Executive Committee (EC) prioritizes selected protocols
OG creates Protocol Development Committee
Protocol Development Committee creates protocol
Protocol independently reviewed by NIH-appointed External Protocol Review Committee – advisory to NEI
Protocol approval: Executive Committee; NEI; DSMC; regulatory agencies as needed (e.g., FDA); industry collaborators as needed

9. Protocol Idea Review Process
Semiannual Solicitation of Protocol Ideas from Investigators
Investigators submit ideas to CC
Network Chair and CC PI conduct initial review for public health importance and potential expedited review
Operations Group reviews ideas twice per year (and more promptly for expedited reviews) for merit and feasibility
Selected ideas presented to Investigators at semiannual meeting
Based on Investigator feedback, ideas are prioritized by EC
Non-DRCR.net investigators submit ideas to CC (through Protocol Idea form posted on public website)

10. DRCR Network Protocols A through H with Enrollment Completed 2003 to 2007
# of Subjects
A: Pilot Study of Laser Photocoagulation for DME
263
B: Randomized Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide and Laser Photocoagulation for DME
693
C: Temporal Variation in OCT Measurements of DME
114
D: Evaluation of Vitrectomy for DME
241
E: Pilot Study of Peribulbar Triamcinolone Acetonide for DME
113
F: Observational Study of the Development of DME Following Scatter Laser Photocoagulation
155
G: Subclinical Diabetic Macular Edema Study 68
H: Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Bevacizumab for DME
121 10

11. DRCR Network Protocols with Enrollment From 2008 to 2011 (as of 8/8/11)
# of Subjects
I: Laser-Ranibizumab-Triamcinolone Study for DME*
691
J: Laser-Ranibizumab-Triamcinolone Study for DME + PRP***
333
K: The Course of Response to Focal Photocoagulation for DME***
128
L: Autorefraction and E-ETDRS Measurements in DME***
490
M: Diabetes Education Study**
586
N: Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Vitreous Hemorrhage from PDR Study**
227
O: Comparison of Time Domain OCT & Spectral Domain OCT in DME**
1138
P: Pilot Study of Individuals with DME Undergoing Cataract Surgery*** 68
Q: Individuals with Diabetes without DME Undergoing Cataract Surgery***
317
* Enrollment done/in active follow-up; **Recruiting; ***Enrollment/follow-up done

12. DRCR Network Protocols with Enrollment From 2008 to 2011 (as of 8/8/11)
# of Subjects
R: NSAIDs in Eyes with Non Central Involved DME** 1
DRCR Network Participant Total Since 2003
5747
* Enrollment done/in active follow-up; **Recruiting; ***Enrollment/follow-up done

13. Completed Studies

14. Protocol A: A Pilot Study Comparing Modified-ETDRS and Mild Macular Grid Laser Photocoagulation for DME
Objectives
Hypothesis generation, gathering outcome data, and standardization of data collection methods, testing procedures, and treatment techniques
Major Eligibility Criteria
DME involving or threatening the center of the macula
Best corrected visual acuity >19 letters (≈ 20/400)
No prior focal/grid laser photocoagulation for DME
Enrollment (7/03-11/04)
Total enrolled: 263 subjects/323 eyes at 79 sites
Writing Committee for the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Comparison of the modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study and mild macular grid laser photocoagulation strategies for diabetic macular edema. Arch Ophthalmol.2007 Apr;125(4):469-80

15. Protocol B: A Randomized Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide and Laser Photocoagulation for DME
Objective
Determine whether IVT injections at doses of 1mg or 4mg produce greater benefit, with an acceptable safety profile, than macular laser photocoagulation.
Major Eligibility Criteria
BCVA ≥ 24 letters (20/320 or better) and ≤ 73 letters (worse than 20/32)
Center-involved DME on clinical exam and OCT
Enrollment (7/04-5/06)
Total enrolled: 693 subjects/840 eyes at 88 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. A randomized trial comparing intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide and focal/grid photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology.2008 Sep;115(9): e1-10

16. Protocol C: Temporal Variation in Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements of Retinal Thickening in DME
Objective
To determine the proportion of eyes that demonstrate a potentially meaningful change in central retinal thickening measured on OCT throughout the day.
Major Eligibility Criteria
Definite center involved retinal thickening due to DME
OCT central subfield thickness >=225 microns
Enrollment (10/04-5/05)
Total enrolled: 114 subjects at 25 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Diurnal variation in retinal thickening measurement by optical coherence tomography in center-involved diabetic macular edema. Arch Ophthalmol.2006 Dec;124(12):1701-7

17. Protocol D: Evaluation of Vitrectomy for DME
Objective
To provide information on outcomes in eyes with DME that undergo vitrectomy
Major Eligibility Criteria
DME with vitrectomy being performed as treatment
Best corrected visual acuity >= 3 letters (≈ 20/800)
Enrollment (5/05 – 1/08)
Total enrolled: 241 subjects at 50 sites
Sample size: 100 subjects
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Vitrectomy outcomes in eyes with diabetic macular edema and vitreomacular traction. Ophthalmology Jun;117: e3

18. Protocol E: A Pilot Study of Peribulbar Triamcinolone Acetonide for DME
Objective
To determine whether posterior and anterior peribulbar injections of triamcinolone acetonide produce greater benefit, with an acceptable safety profile, than macular laser photocoagulation in the treatment of DME.
Major Eligibility Criteria
Best corrected E-ETDRS acuity >= 69 letters (20/40)
OCT central subfield thickness >= 250 microns
Enrollment (11/04-9/05)
Total enrolled: 113 subjects/137 eyes at 32 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Randomized trial of peribulbar triamcinolone acetonide with and without focal photocoagulation for mild diabetic macular edema: a pilot study. Ophthalmology.2007 Jun;114(6):1190-6

19. Protocol F: An Observational Study of the Development of DME Following Scatter Laser Photocoagulation
Objective
To determine the incidence and extent of macular edema following PRP in eyes without macular edema and explore whether this varies according to the number of sittings included in the treatment regimen.
Major Eligibility Criteria
OCT central subfield thickness <=299 microns
Early PDR or severe NPDR for which investigator intends to perform full scatter photocoagulation in either 1 sitting or 4 sittings
Enrollment (9/05 – 4/07)
Total enrolled: 155 subjects at 27 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Observational study of the development of diabetic macular edema following panretinal (scatter) photocoagulation given in 1 or 4 sittings. Arch Ophthalmol.2009 Feb;127(2):132-40

20. Protocol G: Subclinical Diabetic Macular Edema Study
Objective
To determine the incidence of progression of subclinical DME and to evaluate factors predictive of its presence and progression.
Major Eligibility Criteria
Best corrected E-ETDRS acuity >= 74 letters (20/32 or better)
Macular thickness judged to be normal on exam
OCT center point thickness microns
Enrollment (11/05 – 4/07)
Total enrolled: 68 subjects/106 eyes at 19 sites

21. Protocol H: A Phase 2 Evaluation of Anti-VEGF Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema: Bevacizumab (Avastin)
Objective
To assess the dose and dose interval related effects of intravitreal administered bevacizumab on central retinal thickness and visual acuity in subjects with DME
Major Eligibility Criteria
Best corrected E-ETDRS acuity >= 24 letters (20/320 or better)
Center-involved DME present on clinical exam and OCT with central subfield thickness >= 275 microns
Enrollment (6/06-8/06)
Total enrolled: 121 subjects at 36 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. A phase II randomized clinical trial of intravitreal bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology.2007 Oct;114(10):1860-7

22. Protocol J: Intravitreal Ranibizumab or Triamcinolone Acetonide as Adjunctive Treatment to Panretinal Photocoagulation for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Objective
To determine whether intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF drug or of a corticosteroid can reduce the risk of VA impairment that can occur following PRP and increase the chances of at least short-term VA improvement in eyes with center-involved macular edema that are undergoing PRP for severe NPDR or PDR
Major Eligibility Criteria
Diabetic macular edema involving the center of the macula (OCT central subfield thickness ≥250 microns) responsible for visual acuity of 20/32 or worse
PRP required for severe NPDR or PDR
Enrollment (3/07 – 6/09)
Total enrolled: 333 subjects/364 eyes at 48 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Randomized Trial Evaluating Short-Term Effects of Intravitreal Ranibizumab or Triamcinolone Acetonide on Macular Edema Following Focal/Grid Laser for Diabetic Macular Edema in Eyes Also Receiving Panretinal Photocoagulation. Retina.2011 June;31(6):

23. Protocol K: The Course of Response to Focal Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema
Objective
To determine the course of changes in OCT measured macular thickness and visual acuity following a single session of focal photocoagulation for center-involved DME
Major Eligibility Criteria
DME involving the center of the macula (OCT central subfield thickness >250 microns
Investigator intends to treat the DME with focal photocoagulation
Enrollment (1/07 – 6/07)
Total enrolled: 128 subjects at 26 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. The course of response to focal/grid photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema. Retina.2009 Nov-Dec;29(10):

24. Protocol L: Evaluation of Visual Acuity Measurements in Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema
Objective
To compare visual acuity results obtained based on the results of an autorefraction with the results of acuity testing based on the DRCR.net manual refraction protocol
To determine the reproducibility of E-ETDRS visual acuity measurements in subjects with center-involved DME at multiple centers
Major Eligibility Criteria
OCT central subfield thickness ≥250 microns
Visual acuity better than 20/400 (letter score ≥19)
Enrollment (6/09 – 11/10)
Total enrolled: 482 subjects at 26 sites

25. Protocol P: A Pilot Study in Individuals with Center-Involved DME Undergoing Cataract Surgery
Objective
To determine the feasibility of a randomized trial in eyes with center-involved DME prior to cataract surgery
To describe all eyes with respect to how cataract surgeons and DRCR.net investigators manage these cases at the time of surgery
To evaluate exacerbation of DME and VA at 16 weeks
Major Eligibility Criteria
Presence of cataract in study eye for which cataract surgery will be performed within 1-14 days after enrollment
Presence of DME in study eye (OCT central subfield thickness ≥250 microns)
VA light perception or better
Enrollment (8/09-6/10)
Total enrolled: 68 subjects/eyes at 29 sites

26. Protocol Q: An Observational Study in Individuals with Diabetic Retinopathy without Center-Involved DME Undergoing Cataract Surgery
Objective
To determine the incidence of progression to center-involved macular edema 16 weeks after cataract surgery in eyes with diabetic retinopathy and without definite center-involved DME
Major Eligibility Criteria
Presence of cataract in study eye for which cataract surgery is scheduled
Presence of microaneurysms or at least mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (level 20 or higher) on clinical exam
No presence of center-involved DME in study eye (OCT central subfield thickness <250 microns)
VA light perception or better
Enrollment (8/09 – 12/10)
Total enrolled: 317 subjects/eyes at 45 sites

27. Active Studies

28. Major Eligibility Criteria
Protocol I: Intravitreal Ranibizumab or Triamcinolone Acetonide in Combination with Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema
Objective
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in combination with focal laser photocoagulation, intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment alone, and intravitreal corticosteroids in combination with focal laser photocoagulation in eyes with center-involved DME
Major Eligibility Criteria
Diabetic macular edema involving the center of the macula (OCT central subfield thickness ≥ 250 microns) responsible for visual acuity of 20/32 or worse
Enrollment (3/07 – 12/08)
Total enrolled: 691 subjects/854 eyes at 52 sites
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Randomized trial evaluating ranibizumab plus prompt or deferred laser or triamcinolone plus prompt laser for diabetic macular edema. Ophthalmology June;117(6): e35.  

29. Protocol M: Effect of Diabetes Education during Ophthalmology Visits on Diabetes Control
Objective
To assess whether glycemic control (assessed with HbA1c measurement) in individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can be improved with a point-of-care measurement of HbA1c in the ophthalmologist’s office combined with a personalized risk assessment for diabetic retinopathy and other complications of diabetes
Major Eligibility Criteria
Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
Patient is not eligible if patient has a known HbA1c <7.5% within prior 6 months
Enrollment (Ongoing)
Total enrolled: 586 subjects at 36 sites (as of 8/8/11)

30. Protocol N: An Evaluation of Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Vitreous Hemorrhage Due to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Objective
To determine if intravitreal injections of ranibizumab decrease the proportion of eyes in which vitrectomy is performed compared with saline injections in eyes presenting with vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Major Eligibility Criteria
Study eye with
Vitreous hemorrhage causing vision impairment, presumed to be from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and precluding completion of panretinal photocoagulation
Immediate vitrectomy not required
Enrollment (Ongoing)
Total enrolled: 227 subjects at 61 sites (as of 8/8/11)

31. Protocol O: Comparison of Time Domain OCT and Spectral Domain OCT Retinal Thickness Measurement in Diabetic Macular Edema
Objective
To compare thickness measurements between Zeiss TD Stratus OCT and selected SD OCT machines (Zeiss Cirrus, Heidelberg Spectralis, Topcon 3D-OCT, and Optovue RTVue), estimating a conversion factor between TD OCT and SD OCT
To assess and compare the reproducibility of the selected SD OCT machines utilizing their respective software analysis algorithms
Major Eligibility Criteria
DME in at least one eye (OCT central subfield thickness ≥250 microns)
Enrollment (Ongoing)
Total enrolled: 1138 subjects at 39 sites (as of 8/8/11)

32. Protocol R: A Phase II Evaluation of Topical NSAIDs in Eyes with Non Central Involved DME
Objective
To assess the effects of topical NSAIDs on macular retina volume compared with placebo in eyes with non-central DME
To assess the effects of topical NSAIDs on central subfield thickness and to compare the progression of non-central DME to central DME as determined by OCT and stereoscopic fundus photographs
Major Eligibility Criteria
Best corrected E-ETDRS VA letter score ≥74
Definite retinal thickening due to DME within 3000 µm of the center of the macula but not involving the central subfield
No focal/grid laser within the last 6 months or other treatment for DME within the last 4 months
No anticipated need to treat DME during the course of the study unless the eye meets the criteria for treatment
Enrollment (Ongoing)
Total enrolled: 1 subject at 1 site (as of 8/8/11)

33. Upcoming Studies

34. Upcoming Protocols in 2011 Protocol S – 4th Quarter 2011
Prompt Panretinal Photocoagulation Versus Intravitreal Ranibizumab with Deferred Panretinal Photocoagulation for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Protocol T – 4th Quarter 2011
Intravitreal Bevacizumab Compared with Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema