Promising Alternative for nAMD Patients: Faricimab

Introduction

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness globally. Particularly, neovascular AMD (nAMD) poses challenges in treatment. With previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies, many nAMD patients exhibit suboptimal responses. However, a retrospective single-centre study found that faricimab offers a promising alternative for such patients. This article elaborates on the study and its findings.

The Study

The University Hospitals of Bristol and Weston, UK conducted the retrospective single-centre study with 98 eyes of 79 patients. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of faricimab in nAMD patients who did not respond optimally to previous anti-VEGF therapies. The study adopted the ‘Treat and Extend’ protocol, with a 4-month initiation phase of four monthly injections. The study monitored the patients’ best-recorded visual acuity (BRVA), central subfield thickness (CST), the presence of retinal fluid, and treatment intervals.

The Findings

The study found that faricimab decreased disease activity significantly in nAMD patients who did not respond optimally to previous anti-VEGF therapies. Following faricimab treatment, the study noted significant reductions in CST and retinal fluid. These anatomical improvements hint at the potential for a therapeutic benefit. Although BRVA changes were not statistically significant, significant anatomical improvements were noted. Also, the study found that 40% of patients achieved extended treatment intervals, reducing the treatment burden.

Implication of Findings

Faricimab provides promising outcomes and offers relief to nAMD patients who exhibit suboptimal responses to prior anti-VEGF treatments. The study noted that faricimab demonstrated significant anatomical improvements and the possibility of extended dosing intervals, highlighting the need for further real-world studies to assess faricimab’s role. These studies may propose solutions to the treatment burden that nAMD patients face with the current therapies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with the limitations of previous anti-VEGF therapies, nAMD patients require alternative treatments to reduce the risks of blindness. Faricimab presents a possible solution with its significant anatomical improvements and extended dosing intervals. However, it is essential to conduct further research to observe the long-term impact of faricimab on patient outcomes.

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Originally Post From https://www.nature.com/articles/s41433-024-03218-7

Real World Efficacy and Durability of Faricimab in Patients with Neovascular AMD (nAMD)