One-year outcomes and safety assessment of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Japan

Sci Rep. 2024 May 22;14(1):11681. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-62559-1.

Abstract

This multicentre retrospective study evaluated the 1-year outcomes and safety profile of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Fifty-five patients (57 eyes) underwent loading therapy comprising three monthly faricimab injections. If dryness was achieved by the third month, subsequent treat-and-extend (TAE) follow-up continued at a minimum 8-week interval thereafter. If wet macula persisted at the third month, a fourth dose was administered, followed by the TAE regimen. After 1 year, improvements in visual acuity (0.44 ± 0.46 [baseline] to 0.34 ± 0.48; p < 0.01) and central foveal thickness (326 ± 149 [baseline] to 195 ± 82 μm; p < 0.0001) were significant. Dry macula, characterised by the absence of intraretinal or subretinal fluid, was achieved in 65% of cases. Treatment intervals varied, ranging from 8 to 16 weeks, with 44% of eyes extending to a 16-week interval, followed by 33% at 8 weeks, 16% at 12 weeks, 5% at 14 weeks, and 2% at 10 weeks. Notably, 50% of the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy patients exhibited complete regression of polypoidal lesions between 12 and 15 months. Faricimab treatment in nAMD patients induced significant improvements in central vision and retinal morphology. Two cases of retinal pigment epithelial tears and one case of iritis were reported as ocular complications.

Keywords: Choroidal thickness; Faricimab; Neovascular age-related macular degeneration; Retinal morphology; Treat-and-extend regimen; Visual acuity.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Japan
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Macular Degeneration / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity* / drug effects

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors