Effectiveness and Treatment Burden of Faricimab in Neovascular AMD: A Real-World Analysis of Treatment-Naïve and Previously Treated Patients in Poland
In brief
Treatment-naive eyes gained 5 vision letters with faricimab over one year
In this Polish registry study of 322 eyes, treatment-naive eyes gained a median of 5 vision letters after one year of faricimab, while eyes switched from another drug maintained vision. Eyes received a median of 8 injections, with intervals extending from about 4 to 8 weeks. The single-arm study included only patients who remained in treatment, so it cannot show comparative effectiveness.
- Journal
- Journal of clinical medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 30 September 2026
- Study design
- Non-randomized / quasi-experimental trial
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2b)
- Authors
- Michał Seweryn, Marek Rękas, Małgorzata Figurska
- PMID
- 42882062
- DOI
- 10.3390/jcm15197602
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Ophthalmology (paper of the day, 18 October 2026): One-year faricimab improved vision, extended intervals
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Faricimab is a bispecific antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A and angiopoietin-2, developed to extend treatment intervals in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Real-world evidence on faricimab within the Polish national drug program remains scarce. This study aimed to assess one-year clinical and treatment outcomes of faricimab for nAMD using real-world data from the Polish Therapeutic Program Monitoring System (SMPT). Methods: In this retrospective, non-randomized registry study, 322 patient-eye records treated with faricimab within the national drug program between January 2024 and April 2025 were analysed. Eligibility required at least 360 days between the first and last injections. Eyes were stratified into treatment-naïve (n = 70) and continuation (switched from another anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent; n = 252). Results: Median baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 70 [60, 77] letters overall, with no significant difference between subgroups (p = 0.59). At one year, treatment-naïve eyes improved to 75 [66, 79] letters (Δ +5 [0, 10]), whereas continuation eyes were maintained (Δ 0 [-5, 5]; between-group p < 0.001). A clinically meaningful (≥10-letter) gain occurred in 16% of eyes overall, more often in treatment-naïve than continuation eyes (27% vs. 12%; p = 0.004). Central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased significantly in all subgroups, with a greater reduction in treatment-naïve eyes. Intraocular pressure (IOP) remained stable (median Δ 0 mmHg). Patients received a median of 8 [7, 8] injections; injection numbers fell from 5 [4, 5] in the first half-year to 3 [2, 3] in the second, and intervals extended from approximately four to eight weeks. Conclusions: Within the Polish program, one year of faricimab was associated with stable-to-improved vision, anatomical improvement, and progressive extension of injection intervals after the mandated loading phase. Given the observational, single-arm design and the persister-only cohort, findings represent associations rather than comparative effectiveness.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.