Intravitreal Faricimab in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration: real-world outcome of 12-week extension after the loading dose from a UK centre

Abstract

To assess the visual outcome of extension to 12-weekly intervals (Q12W) following 4 loading doses of intravitreal Faricimab injections as described in the TENAYA and LUCERENE trials for the management of treatment-naïve neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD). A retrospective analysis was carried out on all treatment-naïve nAMD patients who started Faricimab intravitreal injections in the period between 1st September 2022 and 31st January 2023. The data collection included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 52 weeks; Central Subfield Thickness (CST) at baseline, 24 weeks and 52 weeks; Number of injections at 52 weeks; treatment intervals at 52 weeks. Descriptive and correlational analysis, independent and Paired-sample T-tests were used to analyse the data. Sixty-eight eyes completed the one-year of treatment. The mean (SD) age was 79.9 (8.7) years and 61.8% were females. The mean (SD) number of injections at 52 weeks was 6.8 (0.8). The BCVA improved from baseline by a mean (SD) of 7.0 (10.8) letters at 12 weeks (p < 0.001), 7.3 (12.1) letters at 24 weeks (p < 0.001) and 8.2 (13.4) letters at 52 weeks (p < 0.001). The mean (SD) reduction in CST was 114.8 (SD 122.8) microns at 24 weeks (p < 0.001), and 89.4 (121.9) microns at 52 weeks (p < 0.001). A Q12W approach following 4 loading doses of Faricimab for the treatment of nAMD in real-world achieves excellent visual outcomes comparable to pivotal trial with optimum number of injections in the first year.