Comparison of clinical effects of two latanoprost 0.005% solutions (Xalatan^® and Arulatan^®) in primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertensive patients: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic non-inferiority between two ophthalmic latanoprost 0.005% solutions (Arulatan^® [ALT] versus the reference drug Xalatan^® [XLT]) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH).

Patients and methods: This was a 12-week Phase IV, experimental, randomized, parallel-group, double-masked clinical trial. Consecutive patients with POAG or OH from the Glaucoma Service of Instituto Paulista de Estudos e Pesquisas em Oftalmologia (São Paulo, Brazil) were enrolled between July and December 2017. The primary outcome of the study was an analysis of therapeutic non-inferiority between ALT versus XLT at 12 weeks, while secondary outcomes were mean intraocular pressure (IOP) change from baseline at 2, 6 and 12 weeks, mean IOP at 2, 6 and 12 weeks, and topical and systemic side effects. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Computerized analysis was performed using the R software, version 3.4.4.

Results: A total of 45 patients were randomized to the two treatment groups: ALT (22) and XLT (23). A statistically significant reduction in IOP from baseline was observed in both treatment groups at all timepoints, while no statistically significant difference between groups was detected. By week 12, observed IOP reduction was −7.95 and −7.89 mmHg in the ALT and in the XLT groups, respectively (P=0.60). Treatment difference between the ALT and the XLT groups was −0.06 mm Hg (95% CI: −0.97, 0.85) and fell within the interval set for therapeutic non-inferiority. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of safety profiles. The most commonly reported side effect was mild conjunctival/palpebral hyperemia.

Conclusion: ALT was considered non-inferior to XLT in achieving a statistically significant reduction in IOP at 12 weeks in POAG and OH patients. No significant difference in the occurrence of side effects was found between both groups.

Keywords:

• glaucoma
• latanoprost
• IOP reduction

Abbreviations list

BCVA, best-corrected visual acuity; GON, glaucomatous optic neuropathy; OH, ocular hypertension; PA, prostaglandin analog; POAG, primary open-angle glaucoma; RNFL, retinal nerve fiber layer; VF, visual field.

Ethics approval

This study protocol was approved by the ethics committee and the institutional review board of the Federal University of São Paulo. The reference number of approval is 2.034.869.

Acknowledgment

None of the investigators are Bausch & Lomb employees.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to conception and design, data acquisition or data analysis and interpretation, drafting the article or critically revising it for important intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Disclosure

Diego Torres Dias, Rubens Belfort Jr, and Tiago Santos Prata report grants from Bausch & Lomb, during the conduct of the study. The authors report no proprietary interest and no other conflicts of interest in this work.