IL-6 Inhibitor Vamikibart Shows Efficacy Signals in DME Trial

At ARVO 2026, Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS, presented phase 2 data on vamikibart, an IL-6 inhibitor, in diabetic macular edema.

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The phase 2 Alluvium trial evaluated vamikibart's efficacy and safety in treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).
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Vamikibart demonstrated average gains of approximately 6 letters in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) across all dosing arms at weeks 44 and 48.
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30% to 40% of treatment-naïve patients achieved resolution of DME, with central subfield thickness improvements of 50 µm to 70 µm from baseline.
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Higher doses of vamikibart were associated with increased intraocular inflammation, while low rates of cataract and elevated intraocular pressure were observed.
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The findings support further exploration of combining anti-IL-6 and anti-VEGF therapies to address both inflammatory and angiogenic pathways in DME.

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