Three-month outcomes of faricimab loading therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration in Japan

Abstract This multicenter study aimed to assess the short-term effectiveness and safety of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in Japan. We retrospectively reviewed 63 eyes of 61 patients with wAMD, including types 1, 2, and 3 macular neovasculariza...

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Main Authors: Ryo Mukai, Keiko Kataoka, Koji Tanaka, Yasunori Miyara, Ichiro Maruko, Makiko Nakayama, Yuto Watanabe, Akiko Yamamoto, Yu Wakatsuki, Hajime Onoe, Sorako Wakugawa, Nobuhiro Terao, Taiji Hasegawa, Nozomu Hashiya, Moeko Kawai, Ruka Maruko, Kanako Itagaki, Jyunichiro Honjo, Annabelle A. Okada, Ryusaburo Mori, Hideki Koizumi, Tomohiro Iida, Tetsuju Sekiryu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35759-4
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Summary:Abstract This multicenter study aimed to assess the short-term effectiveness and safety of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in Japan. We retrospectively reviewed 63 eyes of 61 patients with wAMD, including types 1, 2, and 3 macular neovascularization as well as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Patients received three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of faricimab as loading therapy. Over these 3 months, visual acuity improved gradually compared to baseline. Moreover, the central foveal thickness decreased significantly at 1, 2, and 3 months compared to baseline (p < 0.0001). At 3 months after initiation of faricimab therapy, a dry macula (defined as absence of intraretinal or subretinal fluid) was achieved in 82% of the eyes. Complete regression of polypoidal lesions was observed in 52% of eyes with PCV. Subfoveal choroidal thickness also decreased significantly at 1, 2, and 3 months compared to baseline (p < 0.0001). Although retinal pigment epithelium tears developed in two eyes, there were no other ocular or systemic complications observed during the 3 months of loading therapy. In conclusion, loading therapy using faricimab resulted in improved visual acuity and retinal morphology in Japanese patients with wAMD without particular safety issues.
ISSN:2045-2322