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Review
. 2024 Aug 28;14(9):913.
doi: 10.3390/jpm14090913.

Real-World Efficacy of Intravitreal Faricimab for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Systematic Review

Safiullah Nasimi  1 , Nasratullah Nasimi  1 , Jakob Grauslund  1   2   3   4 , Anna Stage Vergmann  1   2 , Yousif Subhi  2   5   6
Affiliations
Review

Real-World Efficacy of Intravitreal Faricimab for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Systematic Review

Safiullah Nasimi et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a prevalent exudative maculopathy, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy is the first-line choice for treatment. Faricimab, a novel anti-VEGF and anti-angiopoietin-2 bispecific agent, has recently been approved for the treatment of DME. In this study, we systematically reviewed the real-world evidence of the efficacy of faricimab for the treatment of DME.

Methods: We searched 11 databases for eligible studies. Study selection and data extraction were made independently by two authors in duplicate. Eligible studies were reviewed qualitatively.

Results: We identified 10 eligible studies that summarized data from a total of 6054 eyes with a mean follow-up of between 55 days and 12 months. Five studies reported outcomes in a population of both treatment-naïve and previously treated eyes, and five studies reported outcomes exclusively in relation to eyes that were previously treated. Faricimab improved the best-corrected visual acuity and macular thickness. The extension of the treatment interval was possible in 61-81% of treatment-naïve eyes and 36-78% of previously treated eyes.

Conclusions: Faricimab for DME yields clinical outcomes similar to those known from previous anti-VEGF treatments but with extended treatment intervals, thus lowering the burden of therapy for patients. Long-term real-world studies are warranted.

Keywords: anti-VEGF; diabetic macular edema; efficacy; faricimab; real-world; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author J.G. has received speaker fees from and has served as an advisory board member for Bayer, Novartis, Roche, and Allergan, not related to this work. Author Y.S. declares to have received speaker fees from Bayer and Roche not related to this work. Other authors declare that no potential conflicts of interest exist in relation to this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the study selection process. Number (n) of studies in each category is highlighted throughout the study selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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