Initial Pro Re Nata Brolucizumab for Exudative AMD: The PROBE Study
Alper Bilgic, Laurent Kodjikian, Samaresh Srivastava, Shyamal Dwivedi, Alay Banker, Amro Abukashabah, Aditya Sudhalkar, Thibaud Mathis
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of pro re nata (PRN) intravitreal brolucizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) without a loading dose in the real-world setting. The PROBE study (Pro Re Nata Brolucizumab for Exudative AMD) is a retrospective, observational, multicentric study that included 27 treatment-naïve patients (27 eyes) with neovascular AMD who received PRN brolucizumab therapy with the treatment interval being at least 8 weeks, should the need for a second consecutive injection arise. The primary outcome measure was changed to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time. Secondary outcome measures included the determination of change in central subfield thickness (CST) and complications. The mean follow-up was 11.2 ± 1.2 months. The mean baseline and final BCVA were 57.4 ± 4.5 letters and 65.3 ± 3.12 letters, respectively (p = 0.014). The mean gain in letters at the end of follow-up was 7.8 ± 3.5 letters. There was a significant decrease in CST at the end of the follow-up period (p = 0.013). Patients received a mean of 2.2 ± 0.9 injections (in addition to the first mandatory injection) during the follow-up period. There were no adverse events noted. In conclusion, initial PRN brolucizumab for exudative AMD without a loading dose demonstrated significant visual improvement and no adverse events.