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Lampalizumab is first therapeutic to show efficacy in phase 2 trial for geographic atrophy

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KOLOA, Hawaii — Geographic atrophy is estimated to affect more than 5 million patients globally, including 1 million in the United States, and while there is currently no approved treatment, several therapeutics are currently in phase 2 and phase 3 trials, according to a speaker here.

“Geographic atrophy (GA) causes irreversible loss of visual function. Lampalizumab is the first potential therapeutic to show evidence of efficacy in a phase 2 trial. There are ongoing trials, and there is a rollover into an open label. Reducing geographic atrophy could, theoretically, change the trajectory of visual loss and degradation,” Steven D. Schwartz, MD, said at Retina 2017.

Steven D. Schwartz

Lampalizumab (Roche) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits factor D. The theory is it blocks activation of the alternative complement pathway while preserving the host-defense response, Schwartz said.

Schwartz noted the MAHALO phase 2 study, which assessed the safety, tolerability and evidence of activity of lampalizumab, found a 20% reduction in GA area progression when compared with a sham treatment. In the 57% of patients who tested positive for a CFI biomarker, the treatment showed a 44% reduction of GA area progression at month 18 when compared with a sham treatment.

The results of the study are being validated in the ongoing phase 3 CHROMA and SPECTRI trials, he said. – by Robert Linnehan

Reference:

Schwartz SD. Lampalizumab for geographic atrophy. Presented at: Retina 2017; Jan. 16-20, 2017; Koloa, Hawaii.

Disclosure: Schwartz reports he is an investigator in phase 3 and open label extension studies and that Genentech is a research sponsor. He reports third-party writing assistance was provided by Kathryn H. Condon, PhD, CMPP, of Envision Scientific Solutions, and funded by Genentech, a member of the Roche group, content directed by presenter.