Pegcetacoplan in the treatment of geographic atrophy.

Geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of visual deterioration in the global elderly population, often causing a decreased quality of life. Perifoveal atrophy can significantly affect reading, low-light vision and driving. Similarly, foveal atrophy can cause defects in central visual acuity. While the complement cascade has been implicated as playing a pivotal role in disease pathogenesis, no approved treatment for GA currently exists. Two concurrent phase III trials, DERBY and OAKS, assessed pegcetacoplan (Apellis Pharmaceuticals, MA, USA), a selective complement component C3 inhibitor, with regard to reduction in GA progression. This article reviews the available clinical trial data relating to the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan in the treatment of GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration.