The Impact of (rs10490924), (rs3024997), (rs1061622), (rs4149576), and (rs1143623) Polymorphisms and Serum Levels on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Development and Therapeutic Responses.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major global health problem as it is the leading cause of irreversible loss of central vision in the aging population. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies are effective but do not respond optimally in all patients. This study investigates the genetic factors associated with susceptibility to AMD and response to treatment, focusing on key polymorphisms in the (rs10490924), (rs1143623), (rs1061622), (rs4149576), (rs3024997), ARMS2, IL1B1, TNFRSF1B, TNFRSF1A, and VEGFA serum levels in AMD development and treatment efficacy. This study examined the associations of specific genetic polymorphisms and serum protein levels with exudative and early AMD and the response to anti-VEGF treatment. The AA genotype of VEGFA (rs3024997) was significantly associated with a 20-fold reduction in the odds of exudative AMD compared to the GG + GA genotypes. Conversely, the TT genotype of (rs10490924) was linked to a 4.2-fold increase in the odds of exudative AMD compared to GG + GT genotypes. In females, each T allele of increased the odds by 2.3-fold, while in males, the TT genotype was associated with a 5-fold increase. Lower serum IL1B levels were observed in the exudative AMD group compared to the controls. Early AMD patients had higher serum TNFRSF1B levels than controls, particularly those with the GG genotype of rs1061622. Exudative AMD patients with the CC genotype of rs4149576 had lower serum TNFRSF1A levels compared to the controls. Visual acuity (VA) analysis showed that non-responders had better baseline VA than responders but experienced decreased VA after treatment, whereas responders showed improvement. Central retinal thickness (CRT) reduced significantly in responders after treatment and was lower in responders compared to non-responders after treatment. The T allele of rs1061622 was associated with a better response to anti-VEGF treatment under both dominant and additive genetic models. These findings highlight significant genetic and biochemical markers associated with AMD and treatment response. This study found that the rs3024997 AA genotype reduces the odds of exudative AMD, while the rs10490924 TT genotype increases it. Lower serum IL1B levels and variations in TNFRSF1B and TNFRSF1A levels were linked to AMD. The rs1061622 T allele was associated with better anti-VEGF treatment response. These markers could potentially guide risk assessment and personalized treatment for AMD.