University Eye Clinic, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genoa, Italy.
Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa, Italy.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2021 Mar;30(3):193-200. doi: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1879791. Epub 2021 Feb 4.
Intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs represent the first-line treatment option for wet age-related macular degeneration (w-AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME); however, the frequent injection intervals have illuminated to the necessity for new molecules allowing a more prolonged treatment regimen. Faricimab is a promising bispecific drug targeting VEGF-A and the Ang-Tie/pathway. Phase II STAIRWAY and AVENUE Trials showed its clinical efficacy for the treatment of w-AMD, while the phase II BOULEVARD Trial revealed its superiority to monthly ranibizumab in the management of DME with a monthly treatment regimen. The agents are awaiting approval for the treatment of w-AMD and DME.
This article presents an overview of w-AMD and diabetic retinopathy and examines the progress of Faricimab through clinical trials. It offers insights on where Faricimab may be placed in the future market of anti-VEGF treatments and discusses the role of Ang/Tie pathway as a potential additive weapon for the treatment of w-AMD, DME, and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
The possibility of administering faricimab with more prolonged treatment intervals represents an important advantage to decrease the treatment burden and improve patient compliance. Further phase III trials should provide more evidence on clinical efficacy.
玻璃体内抗血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）药物是治疗湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性（wAMD）和糖尿病性黄斑水肿（DME）的一线治疗选择；然而，频繁的注射间隔时间表明需要新的分子，以允许更长的治疗方案。faricimab 是一种有前途的双特异性药物，靶向 VEGF-A 和 Ang-Tie/通路。II 期 STAIRWAY 和 AVENUE 试验显示其在治疗 wAMD 方面的临床疗效，而 II 期 BOULEVARD 试验显示其在 DME 管理中每月治疗方案优于每月 ranibizumab。这些药物正在等待批准用于治疗 wAMD 和 DME。
本文概述了 wAMD 和糖尿病性视网膜病变，并通过临床试验检查了 faricimab 的进展。它提供了有关 faricimab 在未来抗 VEGF 治疗市场中的定位的见解，并讨论了 Ang/Tie 通路作为治疗 wAMD、DME 和视网膜静脉阻塞（RVO）的潜在附加武器的作用。
延长治疗间隔时间给药的可能性是降低治疗负担和提高患者依从性的重要优势。进一步的 III 期试验应提供更多关于临床疗效的证据。
