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.

Objectives: 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).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on all treatment-naïve nAMD patients who started Faricimab intravitreal injections in the period between 1 September 2022 and 31 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: 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.