Long Term Efficacy of Faricimab Using a Treat and Extend Regimen for Type 3 Macular Neovascularization

Summary

Type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV) is a subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration accounting for 10-20% of cases, notable for high rates of bilateral involvement and risk of profound vision loss, particularly if undertreated. Early and proactive therapy is crucial to prevent progression and preserve vision. Faricimab offers potential advantages in this setting. Eyes with type 3 MNV often show thin choroid, reticular pseudodrusen, and high GA risk, reflecting compromised choroidal perfusion. While anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents suppress neovascularization, prolonged VEGF blockade may impair choriocapillaris health. Ang-2 inhibition, by promoting Tie2 activation and vascular stability, may protect choriocapillaris and reduce widespread retinal edema and hemorrhages observed in type 3 MNV. Finally, while treat-and-extend is widely used in practice, existing trials (TENAYA, LUCERNE) applied broader extension intervals than typically used clinically. In type 3 MNV, where undertreatment carries severe consequences, a more stringent faricimab-based treat-and-extend regimen with 2-week interval adjustments warrants investigation.

Timeline

Start

2025-09-23

Primary completion

2028-09-22

Completion

2028-09-22

Publications

• Results Khanani AM, Guymer RH, Basu K, Boston H, Heier JS, Korobelnik JF, Kotecha A, Lin H, Silverman D, Swaminathan B, Willis JR, Yoon YH, Quezada-Ruiz C. TENAYA and LUCERNE: Rationale and Design for the Phase 3 Clinical Trials of Faricimab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Sci. 2021 Nov 17;1(4):100076. doi: 10.1016/j.xops.2021.100076. eCollection 2021 Dec.
• Results Spaide RF. NEW PROPOSAL FOR THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF TYPE 3 NEOVASCULARIZATION AS BASED ON MULTIMODAL IMAGING FINDINGS. Retina. 2019 Aug;39(8):1451-1464. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002412.
• Results Kim JH, Kim JR, Kang SW, Kim SJ, Ha HS. Thinner choroid and greater drusen extent in retinal angiomatous proliferation than in typical exudative age-related macular degeneration. Am J Ophthalmol. 2013 Apr;155(4):743-9, 749.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2012.11.001. Epub 2013 Jan 11.
• Results Heier JS, Khanani AM, Quezada Ruiz C, Basu K, Ferrone PJ, Brittain C, Figueroa MS, Lin H, Holz FG, Patel V, Lai TYY, Silverman D, Regillo C, Swaminathan B, Viola F, Cheung CMG, Wong TY; TENAYA and LUCERNE Investigators. Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab up to every 16 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (TENAYA and LUCERNE): two randomised, double-masked, phase 3, non-inferiority trials. Lancet. 2022 Feb 19;399(10326):729-740. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00010-1. Epub 2022 Jan 24.
• Results Kim JH, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW. LONG-TERM CHANGES IN CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN EYES WITH TYPE 3 MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION. Retina. 2021 Jun 1;41(6):1251-1258. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003010.
• Results Su D, Lin S, Phasukkijwatana N, Chen X, Tan A, Freund KB, Sarraf D. AN UPDATED STAGING SYSTEM OF TYPE 3 NEOVASCULARIZATION USING SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY. Retina. 2016 Dec;36 Suppl 1:S40-S49. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000001268.
• Results Kim JH, Kim JW, Kim CG. INCIDENCE AND TIMING OF PIGMENT EPITHELIAL DETACHMENT AND SUBRETINAL FLUID DEVELOPMENT IN TYPE 3 MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION. Retina. 2023 Aug 1;43(8):1264-1273. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003797.
• Results Kim JH, Chang YS, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW, Cho SY. DIFFERENCE IN TREATMENT OUTCOMES ACCORDING TO OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY-BASED STAGES IN TYPE 3 NEOVASCULARIZATION (RETINAL ANGIOMATOUS PROLIFERATION). Retina. 2018 Dec;38(12):2356-2362. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000001876.
• Results Kim JH, Chang YS, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW. Prechoroidal Cleft in Type 3 Neovascularization: Incidence, Timing, and Its Association with Visual Outcome. J Ophthalmol. 2018 Nov 19;2018:2578349. doi: 10.1155/2018/2578349. eCollection 2018.
• Results Kim JH, Chang YS, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW. Early Recurrent Hemorrhage in Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Type 3 Neovascularization or Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation: Incidence and Influence on Visual Prognosis. Semin Ophthalmol. 2018;33(6):820-828. doi: 10.1080/08820538.2018.1511814. Epub 2018 Aug 23.
• Results Kim JH, Chang YS, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW. Abrupt visual loss during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for type 3 neovascularization. Int J Ophthalmol. 2019 Mar 18;12(3):480-487. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2019.03.20. eCollection 2019.
• Results Chang YS, Kim JH, Yoo SJ, Lew YJ, Kim J. Fellow-eye neovascularization in unilateral retinal angiomatous proliferation in a Korean population. Acta Ophthalmol. 2016 Feb;94(1):e49-53. doi: 10.1111/aos.12748. Epub 2015 May 17.
• Results Kim JH, Chang YS, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW, Kim HS. LONG-TERM VISUAL CHANGES IN INITIALLY STRONGER FELLOW EYES IN PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL TYPE 3 NEOVASCULARIZATION. Retina. 2019 Sep;39(9):1672-1681. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002239.
• Results Yannuzzi LA, Negrao S, Iida T, Carvalho C, Rodriguez-Coleman H, Slakter J, Freund KB, Sorenson J, Orlock D, Borodoker N. Retinal angiomatous proliferation in age-related macular degeneration. Retina. 2001;21(5):416-34. doi: 10.1097/00006982-200110000-00003.
• Results Freund KB, Ho IV, Barbazetto IA, Koizumi H, Laud K, Ferrara D, Matsumoto Y, Sorenson JA, Yannuzzi L. Type 3 neovascularization: the expanded spectrum of retinal angiomatous proliferation. Retina. 2008 Feb;28(2):201-11. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e3181669504.

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