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Humanized monoclonal antibody shows promise in treating geographic atrophy
HAMBURG — Lampalizumab, a humanized, monoclonal antibody directed against complement factor D, showed high safety profile and efficacy in inhibiting geographic atrophy in a study presented at the Euretina meeting.
“This study represents a breakthrough, because for the first time we have a potential treatment option for geographic atrophy,” Frank G. Holz, MD, said.
Frank G. Holz
The phase II MAHALO trial randomized patients to receive lampalizumab (Roche) injections monthly or every two months over an 18-month period. The primary endpoint was change of geographic atrophy area over the study period compared with control.
“Fluorescein angiography showed a 20.4% reduction in the area of geographic atrophy in the monthly treated group, beginning at month 6 and maintained through month 18,” Holz said, “while the bimonthly treatment did not show a similar efficacy.”
No serious adverse events were reported and no cases of endophthalmitis occurred.
In a fairly large subgroup (57%) within the study population, positive for specific biomarkers, the monthly administration of lampalizumab resulted in a higher reduction – 44% – of the area of geographic atrophy. Best results in this subgroup were obtained in eyes with better vision, between 20/50 and 20/100.
“In these patients, the geographic atrophy area was reduced by 54%,” Holz said.
Geographic atrophy is responsible for irreversible vision loss in approximately 20% of AMD patients. No other treatment is currently available.
Disclosure: Holz is a consultant for Roche.