Study highlights risks of macular neovascularization in patients treated for geographic atrophy

Patients who develop macular neovascularization (MNV) while undergoing intravitreal avacincaptad pegol (IVA) treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) experience worse clinical outcomes, including greater vision loss and faster lesion growth, even with subsequent anti-VEGF therapy, according to a study.

The study included 56 patients divided into a study group of patients who developed MNV during IVA treatment and subsequently received anti-VEGF therapy, and a control group who remained complication-free. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics, including a Snellen visual acuity of ≥ 20/200 and a GA area of ≥ 1 mm² and ≤ 17.5 mm². All participants were followed for 12 months after initiating IVA therapy.

Patients in the Study Group experienced significantly worse outcomes compared to the control group. Visual acuity declined more in the study group (-0.22 logMAR vs. -0.06 logMAR; P < 0.0001), and their GA lesions grew more rapidly (1.78 mm² vs. 0.78 mm²; P < 0.0001).

Reference
Rush RB, Klein W, Rush SW, et al. One-Year Outcomes in Subjects Developing Macular Neovascularization While Undergoing Avacincaptad Pegol Therapy for Geographic Atrophy. Clin Ophthalmol. 2025;19:111-118. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S498985. PMID: 39807091; PMCID: PMC11727320.

This content is independent editorial sponsored by Astellas. Astellas had no input in the development of this content.