5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Complement system inhibition is a promising strategy to slow geographic atrophy (GA) progression associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

• 2

  The FDA approved two intravitreal complement inhibitors, pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol, for treating GA in 2023, marking a new era in GA therapy.

• 3

  Pegcetacoplan, a C3 inhibitor, demonstrated a 19% to 22% reduction in GA growth with monthly treatment in clinical trials, although visual function improvements were not significant.

• 4

  Patients treated with pegcetacoplan showed a dose-dependent risk of developing neovascular AMD, with higher risks in those with preexisting conditions.

• 5

  Chronic inflammation and specific genetic mutations in complement-regulating genes are linked to increased risk and progression of AMD and GA.