Clinical trials highlight potential of extended dosing for wet AMD and DME treatments
Recent advances in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) have introduced 2 promising options: faricimab and high-dose aflibercept (8 mg). Both therapies have demonstrated the potential to reduce treatment burden while maintaining efficacy.
A recent review summarized real-world and clinical trial data for both treatments.
Key Takeaways
- Faricimab: A bispecific monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF and angiopoietin-2, faricimab has shown noninferiority to standard anti-VEGF therapy in clinical trials like YOSEMITE and RHINE. It offers superior durability, with real-world data confirming extended dosing intervals and improved anatomic outcomes, though visual acuity gains remain variable.
- High-Dose Aflibercept (8 mg): Landmark trials PHOTON and PULSAR have established that high-dose aflibercept can extend treatment intervals while maintaining efficacy. However, real-world data on its long-term benefits remain limited and require further study.
The review concluded that both treatments provide promising options for reducing injection frequency while preserving visual outcomes.
Reference
Kalavar M, Sridhar J. Clinical trials and real-world studies examining faricimab and high-dose aflibercept for wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2025;doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000001129. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39937692.
