Macular Degeneration Update - February 2007

GENENTECH ISSUES LUCENTIS SAFETY LETTER

Genentech, the California company that makes both Lucentis and Avastin, has alerted retina specialists that 1.2% of patients treated with Lucentis (ranibizumab) 0.5 mg suffered a stroke while in a clinical trial, compared with 0.3% treated with a 0.3 mg dose of the age-related macular degeneration drug. In a letter posted on its Web site, Genentech said patients with a history of prior stroke appeared to be at higher risk for a subsequent stroke. For the arterial thromboembolic event of myocardial infarction or vascular death, the difference between the doses were not statistically significant. This data is preliminary, from the Safety Information from a Planned Interim Analysis in an ongoing study of 2,400 patients followed for an average of 230 days from baseline. Lucentis' labeling already contains a warning about risks of blood-clotting events such as stroke, the company noted.

This suggests that a small portion of Lucentis is entering the systemic system and disseminating via the bloodstream.

If you are a wet macular degeneration receiving Lucentis, based on this information, you should request the lower recommended dosage of 0.3 mg.

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EXERCISE REDUCES THE RISK OF WET MACULAR DEGENERATION

A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology reported that exercise helps reduce the odds of developing the wet form of macular degeneration by 50%. Wet macular degeneration occurs when new blood vessels (neovascular vessels) grow behind the eye, causing distorted vision and impaired sight. The authors' recommendations are to perform at least simple activity, such as walking, three times per week or walking stairs regularly.

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AREDS-2 STUDY UPDATE

The National Eye Institute is enrolling patients for their new clinical trial, AREDS 2 (Age Related Eye Disease Study 2). For more information, see www.areds-2.com. AREDS-2 will be adding Lutein and Zeaxanthin, and reducing Zinc. Two current VisiVite Formulas already do this. For more information, see the following pages:

VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula for Non-Smokers: www.visivite.com/idefensegold.html

VisiVite i-Defense Green Formula for Smokers and former Habitual Smokers: www.visivite.com/idefensegreen.html

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We hope you find this information helpful.

Vitamin Science, Inc. P.O. Box 1128 Huntington, NY 11743 Toll-Free: 1-877-880-5251 Web: www.visivite.com Email: help@visivite.com