Photodynamic therapy in VEGF inhibition non-responders—Pharmacogenetic study in age-related macular degeneration assessed with swept-source optical coherence tomography

• Common AMD gene polymorhisms are not related to PDT results in VEGF non-responders.
• Swept-source OCT is a very reliable tool for classic CNV assessment.
• Temporary deterioration can be observed one week after PDT.

BackgroundTreatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) remains a major challenge in ophthalmology. It is essential to determine which of VEGF inhibition non-responders can benefit from photodynamic therapy (PDT). As AMD is strongly related to gene polymorphisms, genetic factors can modify efficacy of treatment. Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) gives exceptional insight into the retina and choroid. SS-OCT usefulness needs to be evaluated in nAMD patients.MethodsProspective 6-month study included consecutive 110 patients (110 eyes) with predominantly classic neovascular AMD treated with photodynamic therapy. Only non-responders to anti-VEGF were included in the study. Greatest linear dimension (GLD) of the lesion, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) and central choroidal thickness were assessed and compared between CFH and ARMS2 genotype groups. Success rate was the main endpoint. It was defined as not active CNV in the center of the fovea and no worsening in BCVA. Multiple regression was used to assess gene polymorphisms influence on PDT results. Wilcoxon tests were performed to determine significance of changes from baseline values.ResultsFollowing genotype frequencies were obtained—CFH CC 35 patients (31.8%), CT 52 (47.3%), TT 23 (20.9%); ARMS2 TT 28 patients (25.4%), GT 43 (39.1%), GG 39 (35.4%) success rate in CC/CT/TT CFH and TT/GT/GG ARMS2 groups were as follows respectively: 22.9%, 28.8%, 30.4% and 28.6%, 25.6%, 28.2%. The differences were not significant with highest odds ratio TT vs. CC CFH 1.57 (95% CI 0.48–5.2, p = 0.4). Significant increase in GLD was observed only in CC CFH group. Overall mean following measured parameters were obtained at baseline/day 7/month 3/month 6 (significant changes from baseline are marked with asterisk): GLD—3825 ± 1301 μm/3901 ± 1579 μm/3861 ± 1463 μm/3925 ± 1523 μm; CSMT—405 ± 203 μm/434 ± 257 μm*/321 ± 163 μm*/295 ± 157* μm; CCT—235 ± 103 μm/278 ± 157* μm/211 ± 113 μm*/201 ± 107* μm; BCVA—49.3 ± 12.5/43.2 ± 14.2*/49.6 ± 11.6/48.7 ± 12.2 letters on ETDRS charts. In all patients classic component of the lesion was assessed with SS-OCT with no need to be reaffirmed in FA. Thus FA was used mainly for lesion size calculation.ConclusionsCommon genetic factors seem not to influence PDT effectiveness in VEGF inhibitors non-responders. SS-OCT is a valuable tool of nAMD monitoring, especially for choroid assessment. Deterioration of retinal structure and function is observed one week after PDT. It is related to increase in both retinal and choroidal thickness and is accompanied by mild temporary BCVA decrease.