Ocrelizumab efficacy in subgroups of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab, versus interferon (IFN) β-1a, for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) from the identically designed OPERA I (NCT01247324) and OPERA II (NCT01412333) phase III studies has been reported; here we present subgroup analyses of efficacy endpoints from the pooled OPERA I and OPERA II populations.

METHODS

Patients with RMS were randomized to either ocrelizumab 600 mg administered by intravenous infusion every 24 weeks or subcutaneous IFN β-1a 44 µg three times per week throughout the 96-week treatment period. Relapse, disability, and MRI outcomes were analyzed for predefined and post hoc subgroups based on demographic and disease characteristics along with prior treatment using appropriate statistical tests to determine the treatment effect in subgroups and treatment-by-subgroup interactions.

RESULTS

The significant treatment benefit of ocrelizumab, versus IFN β-1a, observed in the overall OPERA I and OPERA II pooled populations was maintained across most subgroup strata for all endpoints, including annualized relapse rate, disability progression, and MRI outputs.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment effect of ocrelizumab versus IFN β-1a, measured by clinical and MRI outcomes, was maintained across most of the subgroups and strata of interest, and the pattern of treatment benefit across all subgroups was consistent with that from the pooled OPERA studies.

Ocrelizumab infusion experience in patients with relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis: Results from the phase 3 randomized OPERA I, OPERA II, and ORATORIO studies

BACKGROUND

Ocrelizumab is an infusible humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes CD20⁺ B cells. Infusion-related reactions (IRRs) were summarized from the OPERA I, OPERA II, and ORATORIO trials for relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

OPERA I and OPERA II were identical, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trials that enrolled patients with relapsing MS (RMS). Patients in the ocrelizumab group initially received two 300-mg intravenous (IV) infusions separated by 14 days (on Days 1 and 15); subsequent doses were administered as single 600-mg IV infusions. Ocrelizumab-treated patients also received subcutaneous (SC) placebo injections 3 times weekly. Patients in the active comparator group received SC injections of IFN β-1a 3 times weekly, as well as placebo infusions on Days 1 and 15 and Weeks 24, 48, and 72. ORATORIO was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS). As in the OPERA studies, patients in the ocrelizumab group initially received two 300-mg infusions separated by 14 days; however, ORATORIO patients continued to receive this divided-dose regimen throughout the study. The ORATORIO control group received IV placebo. Prior to each infusion, all patients in the OPERA and ORATORIO studies were pretreated with 100 mg IV methylprednisolone; additional prophylactic treatment with analgesics, antipyretics, and/or an IV or oral antihistamine was optional. IRRs were defined as adverse events that occurred during or within 24 h of IV infusion of ocrelizumab or placebo.

RESULTS

Safety analyses included 1651 patients with RMS from OPERA I and OPERA II (ocrelizumab, n = 825; IFN β-1a, n = 826) and 725 patients with PPMS from ORATORIO (ocrelizumab, n = 486; placebo, n = 239). Across studies, IRRs were reported in 34.3% (vs 9.7% with IFN β-1a) and 39.9% (vs 25.5% with placebo) of ocrelizumab-treated patients in the pooled OPERA and ORATORIO populations, respectively. The majority of IRRs were mild to moderate in the OPERA (ocrelizumab, 92.6%; IFN β-1a, 98.8%) and ORATORIO (ocrelizumab, 96.9%; placebo, 93.4%) studies. IRRs most commonly occurred with the first infusion. Severe IRRs were reported in 2.4% of ocrelizumab-treated patients in the OPERA studies (vs 0.1% with IFN β-1a) and 1.2% of ocrelizumab-treated patients in ORATORIO (vs 1.7% with placebo). Two serious IRRs occurred across the OPERA studies, both of which occurred with the initial infusion. The first event occurred in an IFN β-1a-treated patient in association with the initial infusion of IV placebo and consisted of severe balance disorder, dizziness, flushing, and hypoesthesia. The second event was a life-threatening reaction (bronchospasm) that occurred in an ocrelizumab-treated patient 15 min after the infusion started. Frequently reported IRR symptoms included pruritus, rash, throat irritation, and flushing. Premedication use, particularly antihistamines, was associated with fewer IRRs.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the OPERA I, OPERA II, and ORATORIO trials show that IRRs were the most frequently reported adverse events with ocrelizumab, were mostly mild to moderate in severity, were reduced with appropriate pretreatment, and decreased with subsequent dosing. IRRs that did occur were effectively managed through infusion rate adjustment and symptomatic treatment.

Slowly expanding/evolving lesions as a magnetic resonance imaging marker of chronic active multiple sclerosis lesions

Background:

Chronic lesion activity driven by smoldering inflammation is a pathological hallmark of progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

To develop a method for automatic detection of slowly expanding/evolving lesions (SELs) on conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and characterize such SELs in primary progressive MS (PPMS) and relapsing MS (RMS) populations.

Methods:

We defined SELs as contiguous regions of existing T2 lesions showing local expansion assessed by the Jacobian determinant of the deformation between reference and follow-up scans. SEL candidates were assigned a heuristic score based on concentricity and constancy of change in T2- and T1-weighted MRIs. SELs were examined in 1334 RMS patients and 555 PPMS patients.

Results:

Compared with RMS patients, PPMS patients had higher numbers of SELs (p = 0.002) and higher T2 volumes of SELs (p < 0.001). SELs were devoid of gadolinium enhancement. Compared with areas of T2 lesions not classified as SEL, SELs had significantly lower T1 intensity at baseline and larger decrease in T1 intensity over time.

Conclusion:

We suggest that SELs reflect chronic tissue loss in the absence of ongoing acute inflammation. SELs may represent a conventional brain MRI correlate of chronic active MS lesions and a candidate biomarker for smoldering inflammation in MS.

Ocrelizumab reduces progression of upper extremity impairment in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis: Findings from the phase III randomized ORATORIO trial

Background:

Upper extremity (UE) impairment is common with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).

Objective:

This exploratory analysis examined the effects of ocrelizumab on confirmed progression (CP) and confirmed improvement (CI) in UE impairment in patients from ORATORIO.

Methods:

Patients with PPMS received ocrelizumab 600 mg or placebo every 24 weeks for ⩾120 weeks. The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) was administered at baseline (BL) and every 12 weeks thereafter. Prespecified exploratory endpoints included change in 9HPT time and proportion of patients with CP of ⩾20% in 9HPT. Analysis populations included intention-to-treat (ITT) patients and subgroups stratified by BL 9HPT time and Expanded Disability Status Scale. Post hoc analyses included the proportion of patients achieving more severe thresholds of CP and the proportion achieving CI in 9HPT.

Results:

Among ITT patients, ocrelizumab significantly reduced the change in 9HPT time over 120 weeks, the risk of CP of ⩾20% in 9HPT time for both hands and the risk of more severe 9HPT progression versus placebo. Numerical trends also favoured ocrelizumab versus placebo with respect to achieving CI. Consistent directional trends were observed in subgroup analyses.

Conclusion:

Ocrelizumab reduces the risk of UE disability progression and may increase the possibility of improvement versus placebo in PPMS.

Trial of Fingolimod versus Interferon Beta-1a in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Treatment of patients younger than 18 years of age with multiple sclerosis has not been adequately examined in randomized trials. We compared fingolimod with interferon beta-1a in this population.

METHODS

In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients 10 to 17 years of age with relapsing multiple sclerosis in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral fingolimod at a dose of 0.5 mg per day (0.25 mg per day for patients with a body weight of ≤40 kg) or intramuscular interferon beta-1a at a dose of 30 μg per week for up to 2 years. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate.

RESULTS

Of a total of 215 patients, 107 were assigned to fingolimod and 108 to interferon beta-1a. The mean age of the patients was 15.3 years. Among all patients, there was a mean of 2.4 relapses during the preceding 2 years. The adjusted annualized relapse rate was 0.12 with fingolimod and 0.67 with interferon beta-1a (absolute difference, 0.55 relapses; relative difference, 82%; P<0.001). The key secondary end point of the annualized rate of new or newly enlarged lesions on T₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 4.39 with fingolimod and 9.27 with interferon beta-1a (absolute difference, 4.88 lesions; relative difference, 53%; P<0.001). Adverse events, excluding relapses of multiple sclerosis, occurred in 88.8% of patients who received fingolimod and 95.3% of those who received interferon beta-1a. Serious adverse events occurred in 18 patients (16.8%) in the fingolimod group and included seizures (in 4 patients), infection (in 4 patients), and leukopenia (in 2 patients). Serious adverse events occurred in 7 patients (6.5%) in the interferon beta-1a group and included infection (in 2 patients) and supraventricular tachycardia (in 1 patient).

CONCLUSIONS

Among pediatric patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, fingolimod was associated with a lower rate of relapse and less accumulation of lesions on MRI over a 2-year period than interferon beta-1a but was associated with a higher rate of serious adverse events. Longer studies are required to determine the durability and safety of fingolimod in pediatric multiple sclerosis. (Funded by Novartis Pharma; PARADIGMS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01892722 .).

Interleaved susceptibility-weighted and FLAIR MRI for imaging lesion-penetrating veins in multiple sclerosis

Purpose

To simultaneously image brain lesions and veins in multiple sclerosis.

Methods

An interleaved sequence was developed to simultaneously acquire 3D T2*-weighted (or susceptibility-weighted, SW) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images on a 3.0T MRI system. The pulse sequence parameters were calculated to minimize signal perturbation from steady state while maintaining acceptable image contrast and scan time. Fifteen multiple sclerosis patients were enrolled in this prospective study and underwent a standard MS imaging protocol. In addition, SW and FLAIR images were acquired separately and also in an interleaved manner. The SW and FLAIR images were combined into one image to visualize lesions and penetrating veins. The contrast ratios between white matter lesions and penetrating veins were compared between the interleaved sequence and the individual non-interleaved acquisitions.

Results

Interleaved scanning of the FLAIR and the SW pulse sequences was achieved, producing aligned images, and with similar image contrast as in the non-interleaved images. A total of 1076 lesions were identified in all patients on the combined SW-FLAIR image, of which 968 lesions (90%) had visible penetrating veins. Lesion-to-vein contrast ratio was 32.7 ± 17.9 (mean ± standard deviation) for the interleaved sequence compared to 28.1 ± 13.7 using the separate acquisitions (P<0.001).

Conclusion

The feasibility of interleaved acquisition of susceptibility-weighted and FLAIR images was demonstrated. This sequence provides self-registered images and facilitates the visualization of veins in brain lesions.

033 Effect of ocrelizumab on upper limb function in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in the oratorio study (ENCORE)

Introduction

Upper limb (UL) functional impairment is prevalent among PPMS patients and alters quality of life. The nine-hole peg test (9HPT) is a validated quantitative assessment of UL function in MS.

Methods

9HPT was administered at baseline and every 12 weeks until study end. The average 9HPT-times from two trials of dominant- and non-dominant-hands were compared; the hand with the lower baseline time was termed ‘better-hand’, and the hand with the higher baseline time was termed ‘worse-hand’. Average dominant- and non-dominant-hand times were combined and termed ‘both-hands’. Analyses included time-to-confirmed progression (CP) in hand function, defined as ≥15%, ≥20% or ≥25% increase in 9HPT-time from baseline, confirmed at 12- and 24 weeks, and change in 9HPT-time from baseline to Week-120.

Results

Compared with placebo, ocrelizumab reduced the time-to 12- and 24-week-CP of ≥15% increase on 9HPT by 37% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.627; p=0.001) and 39% (HR=0.607; p=0.002) for both-hands, 30% (HR=0.699; p=0.011) and 40% (HR=0.599; p<0.001) for better-hand and 29% (HR=0.705; p=0.016) and 28% (HR=0.717; p=0.040) for worse-hand. The time-to 12- and 24-week-CP of ≥20% increase on 9HPT was reduced by 44% (HR=0.561; p<0.001) and 45% (HR=0.545; p<0.001) for both-hands, 28% (HR=0.723; p=0.046) and 35% (HR=0.646; p=0.014) for better-hand and 37% (HR=0.632; p=0.005) and 40% (HR=0.599; p=0.004) for worse-hand. Ocrelizumab also reduced the time-to 12- and 24-week-CP of ≥25% increase on 9HPT by 48% (HR=0.520; p<0.001) and 49% (HR=0.507; p<0.001) for both-hands, 30% (HR=0.698; p=0.048) and 39% (HR=0.613; p=0.015) for better-hand, and 48% (HR=0.521; p<0.001) and 42% (HR=0.578; p=0.004) for worse-hand. At week-120, the increase from baseline 9HPT-time for both-hands and worse-hand was significantly smaller with ocrelizumab vs placebo (p<0.001 and p=0.041, respectively); for better hand, the increase was smaller with ocrelizumab; difference was not significant (p=0.056).

Conclusion

Ocrelizumab treatment lowered the risk of progression of upper extremity disability, measured by 9HPT, compared with placebo in PPMS patients.

068 Evaluation of the long-term treatment effect of teriflunomide on cognitive outcomes and association with brain volume change: data from temso and its extension study

Introduction

In a blinded SIENA (Structural Image Evaluation using Normalisation of Atrophy) analysis of TEMSO (NCT00134563), teriflunomide significantly reduced brain volume loss (BVL) over 2 years vs placebo. Further analysis indicated a strong correlation between 2 year BVL and disability worsening, showing better disability outcomes for patients with lower rates of BVL. Here, we explore the relationship between BVL and long-term changes in cognitive function in TEMSO and its extension (NCT00803049).

Methods

The effect of teriflunomide on cognitive function was assessed by change from baseline in Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)−3 scores in the TEMSO core (n=1086) and extension (n=740) studies. To evaluate change in PASAT-3 scores over 5 years, the TEMSO population was categorised into groups defined by percentage brain volume change from baseline to Year 2 (assessed by SIENA).

Results

Adjusted mean changes from baseline to Week 96 in PASAT-3 raw/Z-scores were –0.265/–0.022 and 0.870/0.073 for placebo and teriflunomide 14 mg, respectively (difference vs placebo, p=0.0435 in both instances). Long-term improvements in PASAT-3 Z-scores were observed with teriflunomide 14 mg treatment: mean (SD) changes from baseline at Weeks 156 and 276 were 0.194 (0.634) and 0.200 (0.677), respectively. Mean (SD) units of change from baseline in raw PASAT-3 scores for teriflunomide 14 mg–treated patients at Weeks 156 and 276 were 2.36 (7.73) and 2.43 (8.24), respectively. In an association analysis, the group with least BVL from baseline to Year 2 demonstrated a significant improvement in PASAT-3 score with teriflunomide treatment over 5 years vs the group with most BVL.

Conclusion

Teriflunomide significantly improved PASAT-3 performance vs placebo over 5 years in the TEMSO core and extension studies. Slower rates of BVL over 2 years correlated with better long-term PASAT-3 improvement. This study suggests that BVL earlier in the disease course predicts longer-term cognitive function.

Study support

Sanofi.

061 Ocrelizumab reduces disability progression independent of relapse activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) (ENCORE)

Introduction

Ocrelizumab-(OCR) showed superior efficacy vs interferon beta-1a-(IFNβ1a) in OPERA I/II trials in RMS. Confirmed disability progression-(CDP) based on composite of Expanded Disability Status Scale-(EDSS), timed 25-foot walk-(T25FW) and 9-hole peg test-(9HPT) may better characterise aspects of disability progression than EDSS alone and has improved sensitivity for assessing progression in secondary progressive MS-(SPMS).

Methods

RMS patients, including relapsing SPMS patients, in OPERA I/II-(NCT01247324/NCT01412333) received IV-OCR 600 mg (q24w) or SC-IFNβ1a 44 µg (tiw) over 96 weeks. CCDP was defined as disability progression measured by EDSS (increase ≥1.0 or 0.5 if baseline >5.5) or ≥20% T25FW increase or ≥20% 9 HPT increase, confirmed after ≥12/≥24 weeks. Definition-1 of CCDP-IRA=reference EDSS/T25FW/9HPT was re-baselined at first available assessment ≥30 days, after each relapse and no relapse should occur between baseline and initial disability progression [IDP], and within 30 days post-IDP and 30 days prior to IDP confirmation. Definition-2=period of no relapse for 30 days post-IDP confirmation. Subgroup analysis included patients at potentially higher SPMS risk based on baseline-EDSS ≥4.0 and pyramidal Kurtzke Functional Systems Score ≥2.

Results

In the pooled intention-to-treat (ITT) cohort (n=1,656), risk reduction (RR; OCR vs IFNβ1a) for 12-/24 week CCDP was 34% (30.7% vs 21.5%; p<0.001) and 31% (22.6% vs 16.1%; p=0.002). The 12-/24 week CCDP-IRA RRs for Definition-1 were 24% (25.4% vs 19.6%; p=0.010) and 22% (19.2% vs 14.9%; p=0.046); and for Definition-2, 25% (25.4% vs 19.5%; p=0.008) and 23% (19.2% vs 14.8%; p=0.039). In the subgroup at higher SPMS risk, 12-/24 week RRs for CCDP-IRA (Definition-2) were 40% (31.2% vs 19.1%; p=0.022) and 36% (26.9% vs 16.6%; p=0.064). All CCDP-IRA components in the ITT and subgroups followed similar trends.

Conclusion

Results show that considerable disability progression in RMS occurs independently of protocol-defined relapses. Ocrelizumab significantly reduced progression vs IFNβ1a in the OPERA ITT population of RMS patients and more so in the subgroup at higher SPMS risk.

Brain atrophy and disability worsening in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: insights from the INFORMS study

Objective

To investigate the relationship between brain volume and disability worsening over ≥3 years in the natural history of primary progressive multiple sclerosis using data from the placebo group of the INFORMS trial (n = 487; clinicaltrials.gov NCT00731692).

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging scans were collected annually. Brain volume loss was determined using SIENA. Patients were stratified by baseline normalized brain volume after adjusting for demographic and disease-burden covariates.

Results

Baseline normalized brain volume was predictive of disability worsening: Risk of 3-month confirmed disability progression was reduced by 36% for high versus low baseline normalized brain volume (Cox's model hazard ratio 0.64, P = 0.0339; log-rank test: P = 0.0297). Moreover, on-study brain volume loss was significantly associated with disability worsening (P = 0.012) and was evident in patients with or without new lesions or relapses. Brain volume loss depended significantly on baseline T2 lesion volume (P < 0.0001). Despite low inflammatory activity at baseline (13% of patients had gadolinium-enhancing lesions) and throughout the study (mean 0.5 new/enlarging T2 lesions and 172 mm³ T2 lesion volume increase per year), baseline T2 lesion volume was substantial (mean 10 cm³). Lower normalized brain volume at baseline correlated with higher baseline T2 volume and older age (both P < 0.0001).

Interpretation

Baseline brain volume and the rate of ongoing brain atrophy are significantly associated with disability worsening in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Brain volume loss is significantly related to baseline T2 lesion volume, but partially independent of new lesion activity, which might explain the limited efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatment.

Patient selection for trials

The last several decades have witnessed considerable progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis, refining diagnostic criteria, and identifying therapies of value for modifying the course of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. While the pace of progress has lagged for those with progressive phase disease, this now seems to be changing. This review considers those characteristics of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis that may contribute to phase 3 trial success and identifies some of the thorny issues that remain ahead. The larger of the studies conducted thus far have sequentially informed our understanding of "pure" primary progressive disease, and also challenge both phase 3 and especially phase 2 trial designs and participant selection for investigations going forward. This may have particular relevance for testing therapeutics directed at neuroprotection and repair in the face of ongoing progression regardless of trial participant categorization using current conventional disease phenotypes.

Long-term follow-up of a randomized study of combination interferon and glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis: Efficacy and safety results up to 7 years

BACKGROUND

To report the long-term results of the blinded extension phase of the randomized, controlled study of the combined use of interferon beta-1a (IFN) 30μg IM weekly and glatiramer acetate (GA) 20mg daily compared to each agent alone in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

METHODS

1008 RRMS patients were followed on protocol until the last participant enrolled completed 3 years, allowing some subjects to be followed for up to 7 years. The primary endpoint was reduction in annualized relapse rate. Secondary outcomes included time to confirmed disability, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) score and MRI metrics.

RESULTS

Similar to the core study, combination IFN + GA was not superior to the better of the single agents (GA) in risk of relapse. Both the combination therapy and GA were significantly better than IFN in reducing the risk of relapse. The combination was not better than either agent alone in lessening confirmed EDSS worsening or change in MSFC. Also similar to the core result, the combination was superior to either agent alone in reducing new lesion activity, but the 3 year MRI result did not presage a clinical benefit over the extended observation interval.

CONCLUSION

Combining GA & IFN did not produce a significant clinical benefit over the entire study duration. The earlier effect on reducing MRI activity did not result in a later clinical advantage. The combination showed a sustained advantage in reducing disease activity free status.

Teriflunomide slows BVL in relapsing MS: A reanalysis of the TEMSO MRI data set using SIENA

Objective:

To assess, using structural image evaluation using normalization of atrophy (SIENA), the effect of teriflunomide, a once-daily oral immunomodulator, on brain volume loss (BVL) in patients with relapsing forms of MS enrolled in the phase 3 TEMSO study.

Methods:

TEMSO MR scans were analyzed (study personnel masked to treatment allocation) using SIENA to assess brain volume changes between baseline and years 1 and 2 in patients treated with placebo or teriflunomide. Treatment group comparisons were made via rank analysis of covariance.

Results:

Data from 969 patient MRI visits were included in this analysis: 808 patients had baseline and year 1 MRI; 709 patients had baseline and year 2 MRI. Median percentage BVL from baseline to year 1 and year 2 for placebo was 0.61% and 1.29%, respectively, and for teriflunomide 14 mg, 0.39% and 0.90%, respectively. BVL was lower for teriflunomide 14 mg vs placebo at year 1 (36.9% relative reduction, p = 0.0001) and year 2 (30.6% relative reduction, p = 0.0001). Teriflunomide 7 mg was also associated with significant reduction in BVL vs placebo over the 2-year study. The significant effects of teriflunomide 14 mg on BVL were observed in both patients with and without on-study disability worsening.

Conclusions:

The significant reduction of BVL vs placebo over 2 years achieved with teriflunomide is consistent with its effects on delaying disability worsening and suggests a neuroprotective potential.

Classification of evidence:

Class II evidence shows that teriflunomide treatment significantly reduces BVL over 2 years vs placebo.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:

NCT00134563.

The PRO MiSe trial: baseline data review and progress report

The PRO MiSe trial is a multinational, multicentre, double-blind, placebo -controlled trial evaluating the effects of glatiramer acetate treatment over 3 years in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). A total of 943 patients were enrolled, and all those remaining on-study had completed at least 24 months as of O ctober 2002. Baseline clinical and MRI character istics and select correlations are reported here. A total of 3.9% of patients exhibited confirmed relapse over 1904 patient-years of exposure, indicating success of efforts to exclude relapsing MS types. O f the 26.3% of patients who have prematurely withdrawn from the study, only 36% discontinued after meeting the study primary endpoint of disease progression. The progression rate in patients in the low Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) stratum (3.0-5.0) observed thus far is markedly lower than the 50% annual progression rate estimate used for determining size and statistical power of the trial; progression was observed in 16.1% of patients with 12 months of study exposure. These early findings raise some concern about the ability of the trial to demonstrate a significant treatment effect, and suggest that the short-term natural history of PPMS may not be as aggressive as previously assumed.

Comparative utility of disability progression measures in PPMS: Analysis of the PROMiSe data set

OBJECTIVE

To assess the comparative utility of disability progression measures in primary progressive MS (PPMS) using the PROMiSe trial data set.

METHODS

Data for patients randomized to placebo (n = 316) in the PROMiSe trial were included in this analysis. Disability was assessed using change in single (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS], timed 25-foot walk [T25FW], and 9-hole peg test [9HPT]) and composite disability measures (EDSS/T25FW, EDSS/9HPT, and EDSS/T25FW/9HPT). Cumulative and cross-sectional unconfirmed disability progression (UDP) and confirmed disability progression (CDP; sustained for 3 months) rates were assessed at 12 and 24 months.

RESULTS

CDP rates defined by a ≥20% increase in T25FW were higher than those defined by EDSS score at 12 and 24 months. CDP rates defined by T25FW or EDSS score were higher than those defined by 9HPT score. The 3-part composite measure was associated with more CDP events (41.4% and 63.9% of patients at 12 and 24 months, respectively) than the 2-part measure (EDSS/T25FW [38.5% and 59.5%, respectively]) and any single measure. Cumulative UDP and CDP rates were higher than cross-sectional rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The T25FW or composite measures of disability may be more sensitive to disability progression in patients with PPMS and should be considered as the primary endpoint for future studies of new therapies. CDP may be the preferred measure in classic randomized controlled trials in which cumulative disability progression rates are evaluated; UDP may be feasible for cross-sectional studies.

The efficacy of teriflunomide in patients who received prior disease-modifying treatments: Subgroup analyses of the teriflunomide phase 3 TEMSO and TOWER studies

Teriflunomide is a once-daily oral immunomodulator approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this post hoc analysis of the phase 3, pooled TEMSO (NCT00134563) and TOWER (NCT00751881) dataset is to evaluate the effect of teriflunomide treatment on annualised relapse rate and disability worsening across patient subgroups defined according to prior disease-modifying therapy exposure. This analysis provides further supportive evidence for a consistent effect of teriflunomide across a broad range of patients with relapsing MS, including patients who have used and discontinued other disease-modifying therapies.

Ocrelizumab versus Interferon Beta-1a in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

B cells influence the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes CD20+ B cells.

METHODS

In two identical phase 3 trials, we randomly assigned 821 and 835 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis to receive intravenous ocrelizumab at a dose of 600 mg every 24 weeks or subcutaneous interferon beta-1a at a dose of 44 μg three times weekly for 96 weeks. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate.

RESULTS

The annualized relapse rate was lower with ocrelizumab than with interferon beta-1a in trial 1 (0.16 vs. 0.29; 46% lower rate with ocrelizumab; P<0.001) and in trial 2 (0.16 vs. 0.29; 47% lower rate; P<0.001). In prespecified pooled analyses, the percentage of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks was significantly lower with ocrelizumab than with interferon beta-1a (9.1% vs. 13.6%; hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.81; P<0.001), as was the percentage of patients with disability progression confirmed at 24 weeks (6.9% vs. 10.5%; hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.84; P=0.003). The mean number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions per T₁-weighted magnetic resonance scan was 0.02 with ocrelizumab versus 0.29 with interferon beta-1a in trial 1 (94% lower number of lesions with ocrelizumab, P<0.001) and 0.02 versus 0.42 in trial 2 (95% lower number of lesions, P<0.001). The change in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite score (a composite measure of walking speed, upper-limb movements, and cognition; for this z score, negative values indicate worsening and positive values indicate improvement) significantly favored ocrelizumab over interferon beta-1a in trial 2 (0.28 vs. 0.17, P=0.004) but not in trial 1 (0.21 vs. 0.17, P=0.33). Infusion-related reactions occurred in 34.3% of the patients treated with ocrelizumab. Serious infection occurred in 1.3% of the patients treated with ocrelizumab and in 2.9% of those treated with interferon beta-1a. Neoplasms occurred in 0.5% of the patients treated with ocrelizumab and in 0.2% of those treated with interferon beta-1a.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, ocrelizumab was associated with lower rates of disease activity and progression than interferon beta-1a over a period of 96 weeks. Larger and longer studies of the safety of ocrelizumab are required. (Funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche; OPERA I and II ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01247324 and NCT01412333 , respectively.).

Ocrelizumab versus Placebo in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

An evolving understanding of the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis suggests that depleting B cells could be useful for treatment. We studied ocrelizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes CD20-expressing B cells, in the primary progressive form of the disease.

METHODS

In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 732 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 2:1 ratio to receive intravenous ocrelizumab (600 mg) or placebo every 24 weeks for at least 120 weeks and until a prespecified number of confirmed disability progression events had occurred. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks in a time-to-event analysis.

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with 12-week confirmed disability progression was 32.9% with ocrelizumab versus 39.3% with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.98; P=0.03). The percentage of patients with 24-week confirmed disability progression was 29.6% with ocrelizumab versus 35.7% with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.98; P=0.04). By week 120, performance on the timed 25-foot walk worsened by 38.9% with ocrelizumab versus 55.1% with placebo (P=0.04); the total volume of brain lesions on T₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) decreased by 3.4% with ocrelizumab and increased by 7.4% with placebo (P<0.001); and the percentage of brain-volume loss was 0.90% with ocrelizumab versus 1.09% with placebo (P=0.02). There was no significant difference in the change in the Physical Component Summary score of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Infusion-related reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, and oral herpes infections were more frequent with ocrelizumab than with placebo. Neoplasms occurred in 2.3% of patients who received ocrelizumab and in 0.8% of patients who received placebo; there was no clinically significant difference between groups in the rates of serious adverse events and serious infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, ocrelizumab was associated with lower rates of clinical and MRI progression than placebo. Extended observation is required to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of ocrelizumab. (Funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche; ORATORIO ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01194570 .).

Patient-specific 3D FLAIR for enhanced visualization of brain white matter lesions in multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE

To improve the conspicuity of white matter lesions (WMLs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) using patient-specific optimization of single-slab 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen MS patients were enrolled in a prospective 3.0T MRI study. FLAIR inversion time and echo time were automatically optimized for each patient during the same scan session based on measurements of the relative proton density and relaxation times of the brain tissues. The optimization criterion was to maximize the contrast between gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM), while suppressing cerebrospinal fluid. This criterion also helps increase the contrast between WMLs and WM. The performance of the patient-specific 3D FLAIR protocol relative to the fixed-parameter protocol was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively.

RESULTS

Patient-specific optimization achieved a statistically significant 41% increase in the GM-WM contrast ratio (P < 0.05) and 32% increase in the WML-WM contrast ratio (P < 0.01) compared with fixed-parameter FLAIR. The increase in WML-WM contrast ratio correlated strongly with echo time (P < 10^-11 ). Two experienced neuroradiologists indicated substantially higher lesion conspicuity on the patient-specific FLAIR images over conventional FLAIR in 3-4 cases (intrarater correlation coefficient ICC = 0.72). In no case was the image quality of patient-specific FLAIR considered inferior to conventional FLAIR by any of the raters (ICC = 0.32).

CONCLUSION

Changes in proton density and relaxation times render fixed-parameter FLAIR suboptimal in terms of lesion contrast. Patient-specific optimization of 3D FLAIR increases lesion conspicuity without scan time penalty, and has potential to enhance the detection of subtle and small lesions in MS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:557-564.

Baseline EDSS proportions in MS clinical trials affect the overall outcome and power: A cautionary note

BACKGROUND

In randomized clinical trials, when treatments do not work equally effectively across stratifications of participants, observed event rates may differ from those hypothesized leading to deviations in estimated power.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of distributions of baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) proportions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) on the trial outcome, confirmed disability progression rate (CDPR), and power.

METHODS

We reported CDPRs in the CombiRx trial by baseline EDSS and by groups (1st (0, 1), 2nd (1.5, 2), 3rd (2.5, 3), and 4th (⩾3.5)) and investigated the effect of different combinations of baseline EDSS proportions on the trial outcome and power.

RESULTS

There were 244 (25.4%) participants in the 1st group, 368 (38.4%) in the 2nd group, 223 (23.3%) in the 3rd group, and 124 (12.9%) in the 4th group with CDPRs of 40.1%, 13.9%, 11.2%, and 16.9%, respectively. Both CDPR and power increased when the proportion of the 1st group increased in hypothetical trials with equal sample sizes in each arm, and a 10% increase in the 1st group led to a 5% increase in power.

CONCLUSION

Various baseline EDSS proportions yielded different CDPRs and power, suggesting caution in interpretation of treatment effects across trials that enrolled participants with different proportions of baseline EDSS.

Novel fMRI working memory paradigm accurately detects cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment (CI) cannot be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigms, such as the immediate/delayed memory task (I/DMT), detect varying degrees of working memory (WM). Preliminary findings using I/DMT showed differences in blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activation between impaired (MSCI, n = 12) and non-impaired (MSNI, n = 9) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to confirm CI detection based on I/DMT BOLD activation in a larger cohort of MS patients. The role of T2 lesion volume (LV) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in magnitude of BOLD signal was also sought.

METHODS

A total of 50 patients (EDSS mean ( m) = 3.2, disease duration (DD) m = 12 years, and age m = 40 years) underwent the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) and I/DMT. Working memory activation (WMa) represents BOLD signal during DMT minus signal during IMT. CI was based on MACFIMS.

RESULTS

A total of 10 MSNI, 30 MSCI, and 4 borderline patients were included in the analyses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed MSNI had significantly greater WMa than MSCI, in the left prefrontal cortex and left supplementary motor area ( p = 0.032). Regression analysis showed significant inverse correlations between WMa and T2 LV/EDSS in similar areas ( p = 0.005, 0.004, respectively).

CONCLUSION

I/DMT-based BOLD activation detects CI in MS. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.