Prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Caucasian patients as estimated from optical coherence tomography signs

Emerging therapeutic strategies for unmet need in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, such as ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept, brolucizumab and faricimab have revolutionized the clinical management of nAMD. However, there remains an unmet clinical need for new and improved therapies for nAMD, since many patients do not respond optimally, may lose response over time or exhibit sub-optimal durability, impacting on real world effectiveness. Evidence is emerging that targeting VEGF-A alone, as most agents have done until recently, may be insufficient and agents that target multiple pathways (e.g., aflibercept, faricimab and others in development) may be more efficacious. This article reviews issues and limitations that have arisen from the use of existing anti-VEGF agents, and argues that the future may lie in multi-targeted therapies including alternative agents and modalities that target both the VEGF ligand/receptor system as well as other pathways.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Based on Non-ICGA Criteria in White Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE

To determine prevalence of probable polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) among White patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using non-indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) criteria DESIGN: Multicenter, multinational, retrospective, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 208 treatment-naive eyes from Hispanic and non-Hispanic White individuals diagnosed with nAMD were included. All underwent color fundus photography (CFP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FFA). De-identified images of study eyes were sent to 2 groups of graders. Group 1 reviewed CFP, OCT, and FFA to confirm nAMD diagnosis. Group 2 reviewed CFP and OCT to determine highly suggestive features for PCV. Probable PCV diagnosis defined as the presence of ≥2 of 4 highly suggestive features for PCV: notched or fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) on CFP, sharply-peaked PED, notched PED, and hyperreflective ring on OCT.

RESULTS

Eleven eyes were excluded because of poor image quality (6) or non-nAMD diagnosis (5). Of 197 eligible eyes (197 patients), the mean age (SD) was 78.8 years (8.9), 44.2% were men, 26.4% were Hispanic, and 73.6% were non-Hispanic White individuals; 41.1%, 23.4%, 9.1%, and 2.5% had ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and 4 highly suggestive features. Results showed that 23.4% (95% CI, 17.6%-29.9%) had probable PCV diagnosis. Predominantly occult CNV was more frequently found in probable PCV than nAMD subgroup (84.8% vs 64.9%, P = .01). Hispanic White individuals had a lower prevalence of probable PCV than non-Hispanic White individuals (9.6% vs 28.2%, P = .006) CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that probable PCV occurs between 17.6% and 29.9% in White individuals with nAMD, and more commonly in non-Hispanic than in Hispanic White individuals.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy—characteristics and response to treatment with bevacizumab in caucasian patients

Purpose

To investigate the features and treatment response in Caucasian patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), initially treated with bevacizumab.

Methods

45 eyes of 43 treatment-naïve patients with PCV were included in this retrospective study, all uniformly initially treated with three bevacizumab injections monthly. OCT characteristics and clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed at presentation, after the initial 3 bevacizumab injections and at the final follow up period.

Results

Following 3 monthly bevacizumab injections visual acuity significantly improved with a mean gain of one line of vision. Central macular thickness (CMT) significantly improved from a mean of 402.1 ± 130.8 μm at presentation to 322.0 ± 96.8 μm (p < 0.01). Subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid and submacular hemorrhage significantly improved. 53% were later switched to aflibercept and showed better response in the central macular thickness in comparison to those in which bevacizumab injections were continued. No correlation was found between the presence of pachyvessels or increased choroidal thickness and the improvement in VA or CMT.

Conclusion

Fixed first-line treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy in non-Asian PCV patients achieves satisfactory visual and anatomical outcomes.

Evolving treatment paradigms for PCV

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of neovascular AMD (nAMD) that accounts for a significant proportion of nAMD cases worldwide, and particularly in Asia. Contemporary PCV treatment strategies have closely followed those used in typical nAMD, though there are significant gaps in knowledge on PCV management and it remains unclear if these strategies are appropriate. Current clinical trial data suggest intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy alone or in combination with photodynamic therapy is effective in managing haemorrhage and exudation in PCV, although the optimal treatment interval, including as-needed and treat-and-extend approaches, is unclear. Newer imaging modalities, including OCT angiography and high-resolution spectral domain OCT have enabled characterisation of unique PCV biomarkers that may provide guidance on how and when treatment and re-treatment should be initiated. Treatment burden for PCV is a major focus of future therapeutic research and several newly developed anti-VEGF agents, including brolucizumab, faricimab, and new modes of drug delivery like the port delivery system, offer hope for dramatically reduced treatment burden for PCV patients. Beyond anti-VEGF therapy, recent developments in our understanding of PCV pathophysiology, in particular the role of choroidal anatomy and lipid mediators in PCV pathogenesis, offer new treatment avenues that may become clinically relevant in the future. This article explores the current management of PCV and more recent approaches to PCV treatment based on an improved understanding of this unique disease process.