Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study
Abstract Introduction Faricimab is a bispecific antibody that enables greater disease control and extended durability compared with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition alone in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This study aimed to...
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Adis, Springer Healthcare
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Ophthalmology and Therapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01204-0 |
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| author | Marco Lupidi Cristiana Iaculli Luisa Marco Settimio Rossi Emilia Sicari Giulia Villa Vittorio Pirani |
| author_facet | Marco Lupidi Cristiana Iaculli Luisa Marco Settimio Rossi Emilia Sicari Giulia Villa Vittorio Pirani |
| author_sort | Marco Lupidi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Faricimab is a bispecific antibody that enables greater disease control and extended durability compared with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition alone in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness, durability, and economic and social burden in Italian clinical practice. Methods FARIT was a retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort study across four Italian sites. Adult patients with nAMD or DME who initiated faricimab from February 2023 and had ≥ 6 months of follow-up were included. Clinical outcomes, treatment patterns, and patient-reported data were collected through chart review and electronic surveys. Results A total of 87 eyes (68 with nAMD, 19 with DME) were followed for a median of 14 months. Among them, 33 eyes (24 with nAMD, 9 with DME) were anti-VEGF naïve. At 1 year, 95.4% and 100% of naïve eyes with nAMD and DME, respectively, reached a dosing interval of every 12 weeks (Q12W) or longer; 63.6% and 100% received the treatment every 16 weeks (Q16W). Among switch eyes, 92.4% (nAMD) and 71.5% (DME) reached ≥ Q12W, with 35.9% and 42.9%, respectively, on Q16W dosing. After a full loading phase, the median number of injections administered during the post-loading follow-up period (12 months for nAMD, 10 months for DME) was three for nAMD and two for DME. The interval extensions were driven by visual acuity stabilization/improvement and fluid resolution. Patients and caregivers reported high satisfaction and reduced burden, with fewer injections and better visual outcomes contributing most to improved quality of life. Economic analysis showed a 12-month direct cost (excluding the drug cost) of 1223.8 €/patient from the healthcare system perspective. Conclusions Faricimab provided effective disease control and extended treatment intervals in treatment-naïve and previously treated eyes with nAMD and DME, showing a fast anatomical response and reduced injection burden. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b4b658a9cdb4b0a8dfa6b614c1fa1fb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2193-8245 2193-6528 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Adis, Springer Healthcare |
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| series | Ophthalmology and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-0b4b658a9cdb4b0a8dfa6b614c1fa1fb2025-08-24T11:11:43ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareOphthalmology and Therapy2193-82452193-65282025-07-011492197221410.1007/s40123-025-01204-0Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World StudyMarco Lupidi0Cristiana Iaculli1Luisa Marco2Settimio Rossi3Emilia Sicari4Giulia Villa5Vittorio Pirani6Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Eye Clinic, Polytechnic University of MarcheUniversity of FoggiaRoche S.P.A.Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”Roche S.P.A.Roche S.P.A.Ophthalmology Department, AST MacerataAbstract Introduction Faricimab is a bispecific antibody that enables greater disease control and extended durability compared with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition alone in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). This study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness, durability, and economic and social burden in Italian clinical practice. Methods FARIT was a retrospective, observational, multicenter cohort study across four Italian sites. Adult patients with nAMD or DME who initiated faricimab from February 2023 and had ≥ 6 months of follow-up were included. Clinical outcomes, treatment patterns, and patient-reported data were collected through chart review and electronic surveys. Results A total of 87 eyes (68 with nAMD, 19 with DME) were followed for a median of 14 months. Among them, 33 eyes (24 with nAMD, 9 with DME) were anti-VEGF naïve. At 1 year, 95.4% and 100% of naïve eyes with nAMD and DME, respectively, reached a dosing interval of every 12 weeks (Q12W) or longer; 63.6% and 100% received the treatment every 16 weeks (Q16W). Among switch eyes, 92.4% (nAMD) and 71.5% (DME) reached ≥ Q12W, with 35.9% and 42.9%, respectively, on Q16W dosing. After a full loading phase, the median number of injections administered during the post-loading follow-up period (12 months for nAMD, 10 months for DME) was three for nAMD and two for DME. The interval extensions were driven by visual acuity stabilization/improvement and fluid resolution. Patients and caregivers reported high satisfaction and reduced burden, with fewer injections and better visual outcomes contributing most to improved quality of life. Economic analysis showed a 12-month direct cost (excluding the drug cost) of 1223.8 €/patient from the healthcare system perspective. Conclusions Faricimab provided effective disease control and extended treatment intervals in treatment-naïve and previously treated eyes with nAMD and DME, showing a fast anatomical response and reduced injection burden.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01204-0Vascular endothelial growth factor AFaricimabNeovascular age-related macular degenerationDiabetic macular edemaRetrospective studiesItaly |
| spellingShingle | Marco Lupidi Cristiana Iaculli Luisa Marco Settimio Rossi Emilia Sicari Giulia Villa Vittorio Pirani Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study Ophthalmology and Therapy Vascular endothelial growth factor A Faricimab Neovascular age-related macular degeneration Diabetic macular edema Retrospective studies Italy |
| title | Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study |
| title_full | Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study |
| title_fullStr | Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study |
| title_short | Faricimab in the Treatment of Exudative Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema in Italy: The FARIT Real World Study |
| title_sort | faricimab in the treatment of exudative neovascular age related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema in italy the farit real world study |
| topic | Vascular endothelial growth factor A Faricimab Neovascular age-related macular degeneration Diabetic macular edema Retrospective studies Italy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01204-0 |
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