INNOVATIVE THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: CURRENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Natalia Kornacka; Krzysztof Bednarski; Bartosz  Zawadzki; Jakub Zwardoń; Katarzyna Naja; Miłosz Rewekant; Zuzanna Walczak; Anna Świerczek; Aleksander Gajowski; Tomasz Adam Szczepanowski

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.6202

Authors

Natalia Kornacka Beskid Oncology Center Municipal Hospital of John Paul II, Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3657-2027
Krzysztof Bednarski Beskid Oncology Center Municipal Hospital of John Paul II, Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9801-2832
Bartosz Zawadzki Independent Public Health Care Institution of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in: Krakow, Lesser Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9328-175X
Jakub Zwardoń Dr Anna Gostynska Wolski Hospital, Marcina Kasprzaka 17, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland, https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3944-2943
Katarzyna Naja National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6513-6984
Miłosz Rewekant Beskid Oncology Center Municipial Hospital of John Paul II, Bielsko - Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3944-9363
Zuzanna Walczak 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ: Kraków, Małopolska, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8417-5372
Anna Świerczek Beskid Oncology Center Municipial Hospital of John Paul II, Bielsko- Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9612-237X
Aleksander Gajowski Samodzielny Publiczny Zespół Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej w Wyszkowie, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9130-5931
Tomasz Adam Szczepanowski Samodzielny Publiczny Centralny Szpital Kliniczny: Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2584-5554

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.6202

Keywords:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, Anti-VEGF, Gene Therapy, Drug Delivery, Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible central vision loss in older adults and an increasing public health challenge. Its pathogenesis involves oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, complement dysregulation, retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, and pathological angiogenesis. This narrative review summarizes current and emerging therapeutic strategies for AMD, focusing on innovative technologies, durable drug-delivery systems, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence (AI). A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and selected clinical guidelines. Randomized clinical trials, phase 1–3 studies, review articles, translational research, and current recommendations published mainly between 2018 and 2026 were included. Anti-VEGF therapy remains the standard treatment for neovascular AMD, while faricimab enables extended dosing through dual VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 inhibition. In geographic atrophy, pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol represent the first disease-modifying therapies by slowing lesion progression. Gene therapy, cell-based approaches, the Port Delivery System, nanotechnology, biomarkers, and AI-assisted imaging may further reduce treatment burden and support personalized retinal care. Current AMD management is shifting toward longer-acting, mechanism-based, and technology-supported strategies, although further studies are required to confirm their long-term safety, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and real-world clinical value.

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