Objective: The goal of the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis Visual Outcomes Committee is to define the best functional outcome measures for future neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated optic pathway glioma (OPG) clinical trials.
Methods:The committee considered the components of vision, other ophthalmologic parameters affected by OPG, potential biomarkers of visual function, and quality of life measures to arrive at consensus-based, evidence-driven recommendations for objective and measurable functional endpoints for OPG trials.Results: Visual acuity (VA) assessments using consistent quantitative testing methods are recommended as the main functional outcome measure for NF1-OPG clinical trials. Teller acuity cards are recommended for use as the primary VA endpoint, and HOTV as a secondary endpoint once subjects are old enough to complete it. The optic disc should be assessed for pallor, as this appears to be a contributory variable that may affect the interpretation of VA change over time. Given the importance of capturing patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials, evaluating visual quality of life using the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire as a secondary endpoint is also proposed.
Conclusions:The use of these key functional endpoints will be essential for evaluating the efficacy of future OPG clinical trials. Neurology ® 2013;81 (Suppl 1):S15-S24 GLOSSARY CVFQ 5 Children's Visual Function Questionnaire; logMAR 5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; MS 5 multiple sclerosis; NF1 5 neurofibromatosis type 1; OCT 5 optical coherence tomography; OPG 5 optic pathway glioma; PFS 5 progression-free survival; QOL 5 quality of life; REiNS 5 Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis; RNFL 5 retinal nerve fiber layer; TAC 5 Teller acuity cards; VA 5 visual acuity; VEP 5 visual evoked potential; VF 5 visual field.Optic pathway gliomas (OPG) arise in 15%-20% of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), occur preferentially in young children compared with adolescents or adults, and cause vision loss in as many as half of those affected.1 In this regard, the main objective in clinical management of these tumors is preservation of visual function. Although prognostic factors have been identified, there are currently no reliable indicators of future visual loss. This absence of prognostic signs has led clinicians to avoid initiating treatment until visual function has declined. When treatment is indicated, NF1-OPG are typically managed with a combination of carboplatin and vincristine-an approach that has not changed in 15 years.
2To date, OPG clinical trials have focused on imaging outcomes, with tumor response and/or progression-free survival used as measures of treatment success.