Faricimab shows superior macular leakage resolution over aflibercept in DME treatment

A post hoc analysis of the YOSEMITE and RHINE Phase 3 trials evaluated the effectiveness of faricimab compared to aflibercept in resolving macular leakage in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). The analysis focused on a head-to-head dosing period over 16 weeks, during which all participants received 4 weekly doses of their assigned treatments.

Faricimab demonstrated superior outcomes compared to aflibercept. At 16 weeks, patients treated with faricimab had a significantly lower median macular leakage area (3.6 mm²) compared to aflibercept (7.6 mm², P < 0.0001). In addition, 28% of patients treated with faricimab achieved resolution of macular leakage versus 15% in the aflibercept group (P < 0.0001).

By week 52, among patients in the faricimab treat-and-extend arm, 63% of those with resolved macular leakage and 45% of those with high baseline leakage achieved extended 16-week dosing intervals (P < 0.01).

Reference
Goldberg RA, Mar FA, Csaky K, et al. Resolution of Angiographic Macular Leakage with Faricimab Versus Aflibercept in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema in YOSEMITE/RHINE. Ophthalmol Retina. 2024;S2468-6530(24)00558-X. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2024.11.015. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39580145.