A recent study published in Frontiers in Medicine reveals promising results for brolucizumab in treating wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), demonstrating consistent efficacy regardless of patients' previous treatment history.
The real-world study, conducted at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University of Campania in Naples, Italy, followed 44 patients over a one-year period, evaluating the anti-VEGF medication's long-term efficacy and safety profile.
Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy Measures
The study population, with a mean age of 77 years, received an average of 3.7 injections during the treatment period. Researchers measured success through best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) assessments at 6 and 12-month intervals.
After six months of treatment, patients showed marked improvement with an average gain of 5 letters in visual acuity compared to baseline (35 letters vs. 30 letters). The positive trend continued through the 12-month mark, with patients achieving an average of 39 letters compared to the baseline of 30 letters.
Treatment Response Across Patient Groups
While treatment-naive patients showed slightly better outcomes (42 letters vs. 35 letters at 12 months), the difference was not statistically significant compared to previously treated patients. Both groups demonstrated substantial improvements in central retinal thickness, with the overall cohort showing reduction from 360 μm at baseline to 265 μm at 12 months.
Safety Profile and Adverse Events
The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with only one reported case of acute-onset intermediate uveitis in a treatment-naive patient, which was successfully resolved. No adverse events were reported in the previously treated group.
Clinical Implications
These findings are particularly significant for the management of wet AMD, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The condition, characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in retinal layers, requires effective long-term treatment strategies to prevent vision loss.
The study's principal investigator noted that "prospective studies with longer follow-up and larger cohorts are needed to better study the long-term effects and any adverse reactions attributable to brolucizumab therapy."
Study Limitations
While the results are encouraging, the researchers acknowledge several limitations, including the small cohort size, the single-center nature of the study, and its one-year duration. These factors suggest the need for larger, longer-term studies to fully establish the treatment's efficacy and safety profile.
