Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Flow Signal in Non-Treatment-Naïve Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated with Faricimab
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of legal blindness. Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) agents are the first-line treatment for neovascular AMD (nAMD). The choroid plays a key role in AMD and is affected by the anti-VEGF treatment. Faricimab, a bispecific antibody additionally targeting angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), was recently approved for nAMD treatment. This study investigates the effect of Faricimab on choroidal flow signal. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Optical coherence tomography angiography images of 29 nAMD eyes were examined retrospectively. Patients had received treatment with other anti-VEGF agents before Faricimab application. The flow signal in the choroid was measured before, after one and after a series of ≥2 Faricimab injections. <i>Results:</i> The flow signal decreased significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.026) at the choriocapillaris (CC) level after ≥2 injections. The flow signal did not show a significant change in Haller's layer but increased slightly in Sattler's layer (<i>p</i> = 0.034). <i>Conclusions:</i> In conclusion, our results show that the flow signal, especially at the CC level, changed during treatment. Despite the known influence of anti-VEGF treatment on the choroid, auxiliary inhibition of Ang2 might enhance this effect. Due to the retrospective nature, moderate sample size and non-treatment, naïve patients, care must be taken while interpreting our observations. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes and treatment-naïve patients will be needed.
Authors
- Giuseppe Giannaccare (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2617-0289)
- Enrico Borrelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2815-5031)
- Tom Müller
- Max Brinkmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6549-6719)
- Mario Damiano Toro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7152-2613)
- Paola Marolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8881-0926)
- Yosuf El‐Shabrawi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1704-0183)
- Michel S. Koster
- Michele Reibaldi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1368-6729)
- Jakob Schweighofer
- Mathis Danckwardt
Institutions
- University of Cagliari (IT)
- Medical University of Graz (AT)
- Klinikum Klagenfurt (AT)
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (DE)
- Federico II University Hospital (IT)
- University of Turin (IT)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- University of Lübeck (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Medicina
- Published
- 2025-02-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020260
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.83