One-Year Outcomes in Subjects Developing Macular Neovascularization While Undergoing Avacincaptad Pegol Therapy for Geographic Atrophy.

Purpose: To assess the 12-month outcomes in subjects developing macular neovascularization (MNV) during intravitreal avacincaptad pegol (IVA) treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This research was conducted as a case-controlled, retrospective study of AMD subjects undergoing IVA treatment for GA from two private practice institutions. Subjects were divided into 1) a Study Group of patients who developed MNV and then underwent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy during the study period, and 2) a Control Group of patients who were complication-free during the study period. Both cohorts had a baseline Snellen visual acuity of ≥ 20/200, a baseline GA total area of ≥ 1 mm Results: There were 56 patients analyzed. There were no significant differences in baseline features between cohorts. The Study Group had a greater decrease in visual acuity [-0.22 logMAR (-0.27 to -0.17) versus -0.06 logMAR (-0.12 to 0.00); p=<0.0001], and greater GA total lesion growth [1.78 mm Conclusion: Patients developing MNV while undergoing IVA treatment for GA secondary to AMD have worse clinical outcomes despite undergoing anti-VEGF therapy compared to patients who were complication-free at 12-months. This highlights the seriousness of MNV in this patient population and may help specialists counsel patients when considering treatment for GA secondary to AMD.