Japanese Study Shows Faricimab's Success in nAMD Treatment

In a recent Japanese study led by Dr. Taiichi Hikichi, a private practitioner in Sapporo, findings suggest that transitioning neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients to faricimab (Vabysmo, Genentech) using a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen effectively maintains best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and extends injection intervals.

The results, published in the Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology, reveal improved patient satisfaction six months after the switch.

Dr. Hikichi conducted a retrospective observational study involving 48 consecutive eyes of nAMD patients on faricimab under a TAE regimen for six months. The Macular Disease Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (MacTSQ) was administered at the 6-month mark.

Key findings include the sustained BCVA at the 6-month mark after transitioning to the faricimab TAE regimen. Additionally, central foveal thickness decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 372 ± 20 μm to 272 ± 14 μm.

The treatment interval post-switch was notably extended to 10.45 ± 0.44 weeks, a significant difference (p = 0.002) from the initial treatment interval of 6.72 ± 0.34 weeks.

Dr. Hikichi highlighted that MacTSQ total scores showed significant improvement (p < 0.001), with a score of 58.8 ± 1.7 in eyes achieving BCVA of 20/40 and better, compared to 48.2 ± 1.5 in eyes with BCVA worse than 20/40. Moreover, eyes with a 4-week extension of the injection interval demonstrated a significantly higher MacTSQ total score (56.8 ± 1.8) than those without (49.5 ± 1.9, p < 0.001).

In conclusion, the study suggests that transitioning to faricimab with a TAE regimen effectively maintains BCVA, extends injection intervals, and enhances overall patient satisfaction in nAMD cases.

Reference

Hikichi T. Investigation of satisfaction with short-term outcomes after switching to faricimab to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2023;67:652-6; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-023-01024-4