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.

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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
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article

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Flow Signal in Non-Treatment-Naïve Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated with Faricimab

Giuseppe Giannaccare, Enrico Borrelli, Tom Müller, Max Brinkmann et al.
4 citations
Medicina
Retinal Diseases and Treatments
6.83
article

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Flow Signal in Non-Treatment-Naïve Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated with Faricimab

Giuseppe Giannaccare, Enrico Borrelli, Tom Müller, Max Brinkmann, Mario Damiano Toro, Paola Marolo, Yosuf El‐Shabrawi, Michel S. Koster, Michele Reibaldi, Jakob Schweighofer, Mathis Danckwardt
article en
4 citations

Abstract

<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.

MedicinaVol. 61(2)
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)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Retinal Diseases and Treatments
6.83
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