BACKGROUND

Faricimab is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent, used to treat patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This study assessed efficacy and safety of faricimab in previously treated eyes.

METHODS

This retrospective study included previously treated nAMD patients who had received at least three faricimab injections. Baseline data were collected from February 2023 to September 2023, and follow-up data were collected until April 2024. The patients were divided into two cohorts: (1) the "Loaded" cohort, which received four weekly injections prior to treatment extension, and (2) the "Interval-Matched" cohort, which continued on the same treatment interval as their previous regimen. Efficacy was evaluated based on the primary outcome measures: central subfield thickness (CST), the presence of macular fluid, and visual outcomes. Safety was assessed through the secondary outcome measure of adverse event reporting.

RESULT

Two hundred thirty-seven participants (297 eyes) were included with a mean age of 80.7 ± 7 years, 44% were males. 2,237 faricimab injections were administered (7.5 ± 1.9 per eye). In the loaded cohort, CST decreased from 315.1 ± 86.0 µm to 288.0 ± 63.6 µm (p < 0.001). The percentage of dry macula increased from 11.0% to 42.5% (p < 0.001). Vision changed from 67.9 ± 12.3 to 69.3 ± 13.4 letters (p = 0.002), and the injection interval extended from 5.3 ± 1.3 to 6.4 ± 2.1 weeks (p < 0.001). For the interval-matched cohort, CST decreased from 302.8 ± 57.4 µm to 291.2 ± 62.6 µm (p = 0.001). The percentage of dry macula increased from 22.5% to 47.7% (p < 0.001). Vision changed from 65.9 ± 13.8 to 65.0 ± 17.1 letters (p = 0.613), and the injection interval extended from 6.6 ± 2.8 to 7.9 ± 3.2 weeks (p < 0.001). 68 (28.7%) adverse events were reported, of which 9 (3.8%) were serious.

CONCLUSION

Faricimab showed beneficial anatomical response with stable vision, and less injections. The loaded cohort exhibited superior outcomes but needed more injections.