Geographic Atrophy

Artificial intelligence use is growing across medicine. From imaging to chatbots, ophthalmology is the center of one of these transformations.

Announced by Iveric Bio, topline results from the phase 3 GATHER2 clinical trial indicate monthly avacincaptad pegol significantly slowed GA growth compared to sham at 24 months.

A post hoc analysis of the PREVENT trial suggests quarterly ranibizumab did not appear to affect drusen volume, drusen area, or GA progression compared to sham.

The analysis found any metformin use decreased the odds of developing dry AMD, particularly cumulative 2-year doses of 1 to 270 g and 271 to 600 g.

Apellis Pharmaceuticals identified internal structural variations in the 19-gauge filter needle included in certain injection kits for pegcetacoplan injection, the first FDA-approved treatment for geographic atrophy.

Each month, our editorial staff compiles a recap of the top news in ophthalmology from the past month. Our July 2023 month-in-review features a recap of conference coverage from the ASRS 41st Annual Scientific Meeting.

Last week's FDA approval of avacincaptad pegol marked the second approved treatment for geographic atrophy in 2023. Here, 4 retina specialists discuss the complement inhibitor and what it could represent for patients with GA.

The approval is the second granted to a geographic atrophy drug that targets the complement pathway.

Presented at ASRS 2023, results from the GALE extension study showed crossover to pegcetacoplan treatment from sham stabilized photoreceptor degeneration over 6 months.

Reports of a half-dozen confirmed cases of the rare vision-threatening condition has spurred conversation around the first-in-class geographic atrophy drug.

Presented at ASRS 2023, pegcetacoplan injection showed increasing treatment effects over 30 months for patients with geographic atrophy, with a consistent safety profile to previous phase 3 data.

Low vision rehabilitation was associated with statistically significant increases in the overall composite score of a vision-related quality of life scale.

From a novel acne cream to a breakthrough depression drug, a half-dozen agent decisions are coming through in the coming 6 months.

At ARVO 2023, 24-month data suggests the change from baseline in GA lesion growth consistently favored pegcetacoplan vs. sham across subgroups in DERBY and OAKS trials.

In an interview at ARVO 2023, Danzig discusses the post-hoc analysis from the GATHER trials, showing that a reduced rate of vision loss in patients receiving avacincaptad pegol was correlated with reduced GA growth.

At ARVO 2023, Caroline Baumal, MD, chief medical officer of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, discussed new phase 3 functional analyses of pegcetacoplan injection, the future of the GA treatment landscape, and the next unmet need in ophthalmology.

Eyes treated with pegcetacoplan showed a significantly slower GA lesion progression rate compared with sham, and slower growth rate toward the fovea.