Faricimab loading phase showed promising results in visual outcomes and structural improvement in resistant diabetic macular edema.
Key Findings
Results
Best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved from baseline to the end of the four-injection faricimab loading phase.
BCVA improved from 0.55 ± 0.42 logMAR at baseline (V0) to 0.36 ± 0.30 logMAR at V4 (P = 0.03).
65% of eyes showed visual improvement during follow-up.
Study included 46 eyes with diabetic macular edema previously treated with aflibercept or ranibizumab.
Follow-up consisted of monthly examinations from V1 to V4 corresponding to each monthly intravitreal injection.
Results
Central macular thickness showed significant anatomic improvement following the faricimab loading phase.
91% of eyes showed anatomic improvement during follow-up.
Mean central macular thickness reduction was 108.4 µm (P = 0.0002).
The study population consisted of eyes with resistant diabetic macular edema previously treated with aflibercept or ranibizumab.
Results
Hyperreflective foci prevalence was significantly reduced after the faricimab loading phase.
Hyperreflective foci were visible in 87% of cases at baseline.
Prevalence reduced to 24 eyes (52%) at V4 (P = 0.0005).
This represented a substantial reduction in this structural biomarker of retinal inflammation and metabolic stress.
Results
External limiting membrane/ellipsoid zone complex irregularities showed a numerical reduction that did not reach statistical significance.
At V0, 20 eyes (43%) had irregularities of the external limiting membrane/ellipsoid zone complex.
At V4, 14 eyes (30%) had such irregularities (P = 0.28).
The lack of statistical significance may reflect the short follow-up duration of the loading phase.
Results
Disorganization of inner retinal layers was present in a subset of eyes at baseline and partially resolved by V4.
Disorganization of inner retina layers was reported in eight eyes (17%) at baseline.
Three of these eight eyes showed resolution by V4.
Disorganization of inner retinal layers is a recognized biomarker associated with visual prognosis in diabetic macular edema.
Results
Parafoveal deep capillary plexus vessel density significantly increased during the faricimab loading phase, while superficial capillary plexus vessel density and foveal avascular zone area remained stable.
Parafoveal deep capillary plexi vessel density significantly increased from V0 to V4 (P = 0.04).
Foveal avascular zone area was stable during follow-up.
Superficial capillary plexi vessel density was also stable throughout the follow-up period.
Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to assess vessel density and foveal avascular zone area at each visit.