TY - JOUR
T1 - Faricimab
T2 - an investigational agent targeting the Tie-2/angiopoietin pathway and VEGF-A for the treatment of retinal diseases
AU - Nicolò, Massimo
AU - Ferro Desideri, Lorenzo
AU - Vagge, Aldo
AU - Traverso, Carlo Enrico
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Introduction: Intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs represent the first-line treatment option for wet age-related macular degeneration (w-AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME); however, the frequent injection intervals have illuminated to the necessity for new molecules allowing a more prolonged treatment regimen. Faricimab is a promising bispecific drug targeting VEGF-A and the Ang-Tie/pathway. Phase II STAIRWAY and AVENUE Trials showed its clinical efficacy for the treatment of w-AMD, while the phase II BOULEVARD Trial revealed its superiority to monthly ranibizumab in the management of DME with a monthly treatment regimen. The agents are awaiting approval for the treatment of w-AMD and DME. Areas Covered: This article presents an overview of w-AMD and diabetic retinopathy and examines the progress of Faricimab through clinical trials. It offers insights on where Faricimab may be placed in the future market of anti-VEGF treatments and discusses the role of Ang/Tie pathway as a potential additive weapon for the treatment of w-AMD, DME, and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Expert opinion: The possibility of administering faricimab with more prolonged treatment intervals represents an important advantage to decrease the treatment burden and improve patient compliance. Further phase III trials should provide more evidence on clinical efficacy.
AB - Introduction: Intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs represent the first-line treatment option for wet age-related macular degeneration (w-AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME); however, the frequent injection intervals have illuminated to the necessity for new molecules allowing a more prolonged treatment regimen. Faricimab is a promising bispecific drug targeting VEGF-A and the Ang-Tie/pathway. Phase II STAIRWAY and AVENUE Trials showed its clinical efficacy for the treatment of w-AMD, while the phase II BOULEVARD Trial revealed its superiority to monthly ranibizumab in the management of DME with a monthly treatment regimen. The agents are awaiting approval for the treatment of w-AMD and DME. Areas Covered: This article presents an overview of w-AMD and diabetic retinopathy and examines the progress of Faricimab through clinical trials. It offers insights on where Faricimab may be placed in the future market of anti-VEGF treatments and discusses the role of Ang/Tie pathway as a potential additive weapon for the treatment of w-AMD, DME, and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Expert opinion: The possibility of administering faricimab with more prolonged treatment intervals represents an important advantage to decrease the treatment burden and improve patient compliance. Further phase III trials should provide more evidence on clinical efficacy.
KW - ang/tie
KW - ang2
KW - angiogenesis
KW - anti-VEGF drugs
KW - faricimab
KW - intravitreal injections
KW - Macular degeneration
KW - retina
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U2 - 10.1080/13543784.2021.1879791
DO - 10.1080/13543784.2021.1879791
M3 - Article
C2 - 33471572
AN - SCOPUS:85100592759
JO - Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
JF - Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
SN - 1354-3784
ER -