At the 2024 American Society of Retina Specialists meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, researchers presented a post hoc analysis of the GATHER1 and GATHER2 trials, examining macular neovascularization (MNV) development in geographic atrophy (GA) patients treated with avacincaptad pegol (ACP) (Izervay; Astellas). The analysis showed a slightly higher incidence of MNV in patients receiving ACP 2 mg compared to sham (11.6% vs 6.9%). However, ACP 2 mg demonstrated consistent efficacy in reducing GA growth over 18 months, regardless of MNV development.

For patients who developed MNV, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes were similar between ACP 2 mg and sham groups. MNV development occurred on average after 11.2 injections of ACP 2 mg. The types and locations of MNV were comparable between treatment groups. While MNV development was associated with worse BCVA outcomes overall, the analysis suggests that ACP 2 mg maintains its efficacy in slowing GA progression even in patients who develop MNV.