Pegcetacoplan (Syfovre) demonstrates a measurable reduction in the progression of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor atrophy in patients with geographic atrophy (GA), including those with concurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). According to research presented at the 2026 American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting, patients with both conditions experienced a 40% reduction in RPE loss, compared to a 23% reduction in patients with GA alone.
Real-World Evidence on Pegcetacoplan
Historically, clinical trials investigating geographic atrophy have frequently excluded patients who also present with neovascular or "wet" AMD. This limitation has left a gap in understanding how treatments perform in a real-world setting where these conditions often overlap.
To address this, Hasenin Al-khersan, MD, of the Retina Group of Florida, led a retrospective study of 240 eyes from 199 patients enrolled in the Retina Consultants of America network. The study compared 98 eyes with isolated GA against 142 eyes with both GA and nAMD. Researchers utilized RetinAI technology to conduct detailed optical coherence tomography (OCT) image analysis of the retinal layers over a minimum of 12 months of natural history data, followed by at least 12 months of treatment with pegcetacoplan.
Comparative Rates of Retinal Preservation
The study found that before treatment, the rate of RPE loss was relatively similar between the two groups: 1.49 mm² per year for the GA-only group and 1.35 mm² per year for those with combined nAMD and GA.
Once treatment with pegcetacoplan began—administered at an average interval of every 6 to 7 weeks—the protective effect was more pronounced in the combined-disease cohort:
- RPE Loss Reduction: Patients with both GA and nAMD saw a 40% reduction in atrophy progression, while those with GA only experienced a 23% reduction.
- Photoreceptor Protection: The combined-disease group also showed superior photoreceptor preservation, with a 58% reduction in loss compared to 41% in the GA-only group.
Clinical Implications for Retinal Care
These findings suggest that pegcetacoplan remains an effective therapeutic option for patients who suffer from the dual burden of neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy. By demonstrating that the drug maintains its efficacy—and potentially offers greater numerical protection—in patients with concurrent neovascular disease, the study provides clinicians with evidence to support its use in a broader patient population than previously studied in primary regulatory trials.
As research continues, the integration of real-world data from large networks like Retina Consultants of America remains a critical component in understanding the long-term management of chronic retinal conditions.
Keep reading