AIM: To investigate the effect of Conbercept on serum lncRNA MALAT1 levels, central macular thickness(CMT)and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME), and to observe its efficacy and safety.

METHODS: A total of 300 patients(300 eyes)with DME were included in this study, all of whom had monocular lesions. They were divided into non-injection group with 100 patients(100 eyes), control group with 100 patients(100 eyes)treated with Ranibizumab injections and study group with 100 patients(100 eyes)treated with Conbercept injections according to a random numbers table.

RESULTS: The BCVA, serum lncRNA MALAT1 level and CMT were measured before and 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment. In addition, the clinical efficacy was assessed and the patients were followed up to record the adverse reactions. There were no significant changes in BCVA(LogMAR), serum lncRNA MALAT1 level and CMT in the non- injection group(P>0.05). The BCVA(LogMAR)in the control group and study group at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment(all P<0.05). The BCVA(LogMAR)of patients in the study group at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment(all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the study group and control group. The level of serum lncRNA MALAT1 in the control group decreased at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment, and it decreased more significantly in the study group at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment. The level of serum lncRNA MALAT1 in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group(all P<0.05).The CMT of patients in the control group decreased at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment; however, the CMT of patients in the study group decreased more significantly at 1, 2 and 3mo after treatment. The CMT of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group(all P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group(2.0%)was significantly lower than that in the control group(11.0%).

CONCLUSION: Conbercept can significantly reduce the level of serum lncRNA MALAT1, CMT and macular edema and improve BCVA in patients with DME. Its therapeutic efficacy and safety are significantly better than Ranibizumab.