Faricimab shows greater and faster anatomic improvements than aflibercept in DME

Fricimab demonstrated superior and faster anatomic improvements compared to aflibercept in diabetic macular edema (DME) over 100 weeks, according to a study. It led to greater reductions in central subfield thickness (CST), a higher proportion of eyes achieving absence of intraretinal fluid (IRF), and faster achievement of key anatomic benchmarks.

The trials included 1,891 adults with center-involving DME who were randomized to receive either faricimab every 8 weeks (Q8W), faricimab in a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen, or aflibercept Q8W over 100 weeks.

Results showed that faricimab led to greater CST reductions compared to aflibercept throughout the study. At weeks 92-100, a higher proportion of eyes treated with faricimab achieved IRF absence (58%-63% with Q8W, 44-49% with T&E) compared to aflibercept (36%-41%). Eyes with baseline IRF reached IRF absence a median of 40 weeks earlier with faricimab. Similarly, more eyes achieved a CST of less than 280 μm with faricimab Q8W (70-74%) versus aflibercept (61%-63%).

Reference
Lim JI, Amador MJ, Dhoot DS, et al. Anatomic Control with Faricimab versus Aflibercept in the YOSEMITE/RHINE Trials in Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmol Retina. 2025;S2468-6530(25)00049-1. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.01.017. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39914485.