The BALATON/COMINO Trials: Study Overview and Week 24 Results

The second of a two-part series on retinal vein occlusion (RVO), this animated video summarises the key Week 24 results from the BALATON and COMINO trials, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of faricimab in patients with RVO. The first video, which provides an overview of RVO disease, can be viewed by clicking here or via the link below.

Faricimab is the first bispecific antibody targeting both angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which are factors implicated in the pathogenesis of RVO. BALATON and COMINO are global, randomized, double-masked phase III trials that assessed faricimab treatment in patients with macular edema secondary to branch RVO and central or hemiretinal RVO, respectively. Through 24 weeks of monthly faricimab treatment, patients achieved rapid and sustained vision gains and anatomical improvements that were comparable to aflibercept, an anti-VEGF-A agent. More patients treated with faricimab versus aflibercept achieved an absence of macular leakage at Week 24. Furthermore, faricimab was well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to aflibercept.

Week 24 results from BALATON and COMINO demonstrate that faricimab, via dual inhibition of Ang-2 and VEGF-A, offers disease control for patients with RVO. Longer-term results to Week 72 may provide insights into the potential of faricimab to reduce treatment burden in this patient population.

Original article(s):

Tadayoni R, Paris LP, Danzig CJ, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Faricimab for Macular Edema due to Retinal Vein Occlusion: 24-Week Results from the BALATON and COMINO Trials. Ophthalmology. 2024;131 (8):950–60. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2024.01.029.