Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion
Abstract Background Faricimab, the new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug including a bispecific antibody targeting both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), has emerged as a therapeutic option for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and its efficacy has been demo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Retina and Vitreous |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-025-00703-3 |
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| author | Toshiaki Hirakata Ai Toride Kenta Ashikaga Takanori Nakagawa Fumihiro Hara Yuta Nochi Shutaro Yamamoto Yoshimune Hiratsuka Shintaro Nakao |
| author_facet | Toshiaki Hirakata Ai Toride Kenta Ashikaga Takanori Nakagawa Fumihiro Hara Yuta Nochi Shutaro Yamamoto Yoshimune Hiratsuka Shintaro Nakao |
| author_sort | Toshiaki Hirakata |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Faricimab, the new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug including a bispecific antibody targeting both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), has emerged as a therapeutic option for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and its efficacy has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs); however, reports on its use in clinical practice are still limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the real-world treatment outcomes of faricimab for macular edema secondary to RVO, managed with a single initial injection plus pro re nata (1 + PRN) approach in both treatment-naïve and previously treated patients who switched to this regimen. Methods This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with branch or central RVO, who received intravitreal faricimab therapy following the 1 + PRN protocol. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were analyzed. Results Thirty patients (17 naïve and 13 switched) were included. The number of IVF was 1.4 ± 0.7 and 2.4 ± 2.1, in the naïve and switch groups, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 3.7 ± 2.7 and 4.9 ± 2.9 months in the naïve and switch patients, respectively. Mean LogMAR BCVA improved in the naïve group from 0.30 ± 0.37 at baseline to 0.11 ± 0.20 (p = 0.01) at the final visit, while there was no significant difference between 0.45 ± 0.45 at baseline and 0.35 ± 0.37 at the final visit in the switch group (p = 0.19). CMT reduction was significant in both groups; from 442 ± 117 μm at baseline to 304 ± 57 μm at one month after final IVF (p < 0.0001) in the naïve group; and from 436 ± 170 μm at baseline to 285 ± 76 μm at one month after final IVF (p = 0.0002) in the switch group. Conclusion The 1 + PRN faricimab regimen improves vision and reduces macular edema with a reduced injection burden in patients with RVO. These findings validated the real-world efficacy of faricimab and supported its use as a viable therapeutic agent. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d049afaf456e4050b3fd72fd9ab502f5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2056-9920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Retina and Vitreous |
| spelling | doaj-art-d049afaf456e4050b3fd72fd9ab502f52025-08-20T03:05:13ZengBMCInternational Journal of Retina and Vitreous2056-99202025-07-011111610.1186/s40942-025-00703-3Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusionToshiaki Hirakata0Ai Toride1Kenta Ashikaga2Takanori Nakagawa3Fumihiro Hara4Yuta Nochi5Shutaro Yamamoto6Yoshimune Hiratsuka7Shintaro Nakao8Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Faculty of MedicineAbstract Background Faricimab, the new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug including a bispecific antibody targeting both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), has emerged as a therapeutic option for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and its efficacy has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs); however, reports on its use in clinical practice are still limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the real-world treatment outcomes of faricimab for macular edema secondary to RVO, managed with a single initial injection plus pro re nata (1 + PRN) approach in both treatment-naïve and previously treated patients who switched to this regimen. Methods This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with branch or central RVO, who received intravitreal faricimab therapy following the 1 + PRN protocol. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were analyzed. Results Thirty patients (17 naïve and 13 switched) were included. The number of IVF was 1.4 ± 0.7 and 2.4 ± 2.1, in the naïve and switch groups, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 3.7 ± 2.7 and 4.9 ± 2.9 months in the naïve and switch patients, respectively. Mean LogMAR BCVA improved in the naïve group from 0.30 ± 0.37 at baseline to 0.11 ± 0.20 (p = 0.01) at the final visit, while there was no significant difference between 0.45 ± 0.45 at baseline and 0.35 ± 0.37 at the final visit in the switch group (p = 0.19). CMT reduction was significant in both groups; from 442 ± 117 μm at baseline to 304 ± 57 μm at one month after final IVF (p < 0.0001) in the naïve group; and from 436 ± 170 μm at baseline to 285 ± 76 μm at one month after final IVF (p = 0.0002) in the switch group. Conclusion The 1 + PRN faricimab regimen improves vision and reduces macular edema with a reduced injection burden in patients with RVO. These findings validated the real-world efficacy of faricimab and supported its use as a viable therapeutic agent.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-025-00703-3PRNRetinal vein occlusionFaricimabMacular edemaVascular endothelial growth factor |
| spellingShingle | Toshiaki Hirakata Ai Toride Kenta Ashikaga Takanori Nakagawa Fumihiro Hara Yuta Nochi Shutaro Yamamoto Yoshimune Hiratsuka Shintaro Nakao Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion International Journal of Retina and Vitreous PRN Retinal vein occlusion Faricimab Macular edema Vascular endothelial growth factor |
| title | Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion |
| title_full | Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion |
| title_fullStr | Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion |
| title_short | Short-term real-world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion |
| title_sort | short term real world effectiveness of faricimab on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion |
| topic | PRN Retinal vein occlusion Faricimab Macular edema Vascular endothelial growth factor |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-025-00703-3 |
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