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Hallberg S, Evertsson B, Lillvall E, Boremalm M, de Flon P, Wang Y, Salzer J, Lycke J, Fink K, Frisell T, Al Nimer F, Svenningsson A. Hypogammaglobulinaemia during rituximab treatment in multiple sclerosis: A Swedish cohort study. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16331. [PMID: 38794973 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mechanisms behind hypogammaglobulinaemia during rituximab treatment are poorly understood. METHODS In this register-based multi-centre retrospective cohort study of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Sweden, 2745 patients from six participating Swedish MS centres were identified via the Swedish MS registry and included between 14 March 2008 and 25 January 2021. The exposure was treatment with at least one dose of rituximab for MS or clinically isolated syndrome, including data on treatment duration and doses. The degree of yearly decrease in immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels was evaluated. RESULTS The mean decrease in IgG was 0.27 (95% confidence interval 0.17-0.36) g/L per year on rituximab treatment, slightly less in older patients, and without significant difference between sexes. IgG or IgM below the lower limit of normal (<6.7 or <0.27 g/L) was observed in 8.8% and 8.3% of patients, respectively, as nadir measurements. Six out of 2745 patients (0.2%) developed severe hypogammaglobulinaemia (IgG below 4.0 g/L) during the study period. Time on rituximab and accumulated dose were the main predictors for IgG decrease. Previous treatment with fingolimod and natalizumab, but not teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, interferons or glatiramer acetate, were significantly associated with lower baseline IgG levels by 0.80-1.03 g/L, compared with treatment-naïve patients. Switching from dimethyl fumarate or interferons was associated with an additional IgG decline of 0.14-0.19 g/L per year, compared to untreated. CONCLUSIONS Accumulated dose and time on rituximab treatment are associated with a modest but significant decline in immunoglobulin levels. Previous MS therapies may influence additional IgG decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Hallberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyds Sjukhus, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn Evertsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ellen Lillvall
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Boremalm
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Pierre de Flon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology, Östersund, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Yunzhang Wang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyds Sjukhus, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonatan Salzer
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jan Lycke
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katharina Fink
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Frisell
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Faiez Al Nimer
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Svenningsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyds Sjukhus, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tran TDQ, Hall L, Heal C, Haleagrahara N, Edwards S, Boggild M. Planned dose reduction of ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a single-centre observational study. BMJ Neurol Open 2024; 6:e000672. [PMID: 38912173 PMCID: PMC11191820 DOI: 10.1136/bmjno-2024-000672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ocrelizumab, a humanised anti-CD20 monoclonal, is a highly effective treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The long-term safety of B-cell depletion in RRMS, however, is uncertain and there are no data on dose reduction of ocrelizumab as a risk mitigation strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of reducing ocrelizumab dose from 600 to 300 mg in patients with RRMS. Method Data were collected through the Townsville neurology service. Following the standard randomised controlled trial regimen of 600 mg every 6 months for 2 years, sequential patients consented to dose reduction to 300 mg every 6 months. Patients were included if they were diagnosed with RRMS and received at least one reduced dose of ocrelizumab. Relapse, disability progression, new MRI lesions, CD19+ cell counts and immunoglobulin concentrations were analysed. Results A total of 35 patients, treated with 177 full and 107 reduced doses, were included. The mean follow-up on reduced dose was 17 (1-31) months. We observed no relapses or new MRI activity in the cohort receiving the reduced dose, accompanied by persistent CD19+B cell depletion (≤0.05×109/L). Mean IgG, IgA and IgM levels remained stable throughout the study. No new safety concerns arose. Conclusions In this single-centre observational study, dose reduction of ocrelizumab from 600 to 300 mg every 6 months after 2 years appeared to maintain efficacy in terms of new inflammatory disease activity. A randomised trial may be warranted to confirm this and explore the impact of dose reduction on long-term safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trung Dang Quoc Tran
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Hall
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Clare Heal
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nagaraja Haleagrahara
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sharon Edwards
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mike Boggild
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Singer BA, Feng J, Chiong-Rivero H. Early use of high-efficacy therapies in multiple sclerosis in the United States: benefits, barriers, and strategies for encouraging adoption. J Neurol 2024; 271:3116-3130. [PMID: 38615277 PMCID: PMC11136864 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12305-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by progressive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration from disease onset that, if left untreated, can result in the accumulation of irreversible neurological disability. Early intervention with high-efficacy therapies (HETs) is increasingly recognized as the best strategy to delay or mitigate disease progression from the earliest stages of the disease and to prevent long-term neurodegeneration. Although there is growing clinical and real-world evidence supporting early HET intervention, foregoing this strategy in favor of a traditional escalation approach prioritizing lower-efficacy disease-modifying therapies remains a common approach in clinical practice. This review explores potential health care professional- and patient-related barriers to the early use of HETs in patients with MS in the United States. Barriers can include regulatory and reimbursement restrictions; knowledge gaps and long-term safety concerns among health care professionals; and various individual, cultural, and societal factors affecting patients. Potential strategies for overcoming these barriers and encouraging early HET use are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry A Singer
- The MS Center for Innovations in Care, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Jenny Feng
- Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Virtanen S, Piehl F, Frisell T. Impact of previous treatment history and B-cell depletion treatment duration on infection risk in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a nationwide cohort study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024:jnnp-2023-333206. [PMID: 38744458 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-333206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell depletion displays striking effectiveness in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but is also associated with increased infection risk. To what degree previous treatment history, disease-modifying therapy (DMT) switching pattern and time on treatment modulate this risk is unknown. The objective here was to evaluate previous DMT use and treatment duration as predictors of infection risk with B-cell depletion. METHODS We conducted a nationwide RRMS cohort study leveraging data from the Swedish MS registry and national demographic and health registries recording all outpatient-treated and inpatient-treated infections and antibiotics prescriptions from 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2021. The risk of infection during treatment was compared by DMT, treatment duration, number and type of prior treatment and adjusted for a number of covariates. RESULTS Among 4694 patients with RRMS on B-cell depletion (rituximab), 6049 on other DMTs and 20 308 age-sex matched population controls, we found higher incidence rates of inpatient-treated infections with DMTs other than rituximab used in first line (10.4; 95% CI 8.1 to 12.9, per 1000 person-years), being further increased with rituximab (22.7; 95% CI 18.5 to 27.5), compared with population controls (6.6; 95% CI 6.0 to 7.2). Similar patterns were seen for outpatient infections and antibiotics prescriptions. Infection rates on rituximab did not vary between first versus later line treatment, type of DMT before switch or exposure time. CONCLUSION These findings underscore an important safety concern with B-cell depletion in RRMS, being evident also in individuals with shorter disease duration and no previous DMT exposure, in turn motivating the application of risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Virtanen
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Frisell
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Langer-Gould A, Li BH, Smith JB, Xu S. Multiple Sclerosis, Rituximab, Hypogammaglobulinemia, and Risk of Infections. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200211. [PMID: 38507657 PMCID: PMC10959169 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES B-cell-depleting therapies increase the risk of infections and hypogammaglobulinemia. These relationships are poorly understood. The objectives of these analyses were to estimate how much of this rituximab-associated infection risk is mediated by hypogammaglobulinemia and to identify other modifiable risk factors in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of rituximab-treated pwMS from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2020, in Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Cumulative rituximab dose was defined as ≤2, >2 and ≤4, or >4 g. Serious infections were defined as infections requiring or prolonging hospitalizations, and recurrent outpatient infections as seeking care for ≥3 within 12 months. Exposures, outcomes, and covariates were collected from the electronic health record. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were estimated using Andersen-Gill hazards models, and generalized estimating equations were used to examine correlates of IgG values. Cross-sectional causal mediation analyses of rituximab and hypogammaglobulinemia were conducted. RESULTS We identified 2,482 pwMS who were treated with rituximab for a median of 2.4 years (interquartile range = 1.3-3.9). The average age at rituximab initiation was 43.0 years, 71.9% were female, 49.7% were White, non-Hispanic patients, and 29.6% had advanced disability (requiring walker or worse). Seven hundred patients (28.2%) developed recurrent outpatient infections, 155 (6.2%) developed serious infections, and only 248 (10.0%) had immunoglobulin G (IgG) < 700 mg/dL. Higher cumulative rituximab dose (>4 g) was correlated with lower IgG levels (Beta = -58.8, p < 0.0001, ref ≤2 g) and, in models mutually adjusted for hypogammaglobulinemia, both were independently associated with an increased risk of serious (>4 g, aHR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.09-2.24; IgG < 500, aHR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.56-5.72) and outpatient infections (>4 g, aHR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.44-2.06; IgG < 500 aHR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.52-2.80; ref = IgG ≥ 700). Hypogammaglobulinemia explained at most 17.9% (95% CI -47.2-119%) of serious infection risk associated with higher cumulative rituximab exposure but was not significant for outpatient infections. Other independent modifiable risk factors were advanced physical disability for serious (aHR = 5.51, 95% CI 3.71-8.18) and outpatient infections (aHR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.44) and COPD (aHR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.34-2.11) and obesity (aHR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.09-1.45) for outpatient infections. DISCUSSION Higher cumulative rituximab doses increase the risk of infections even in this population where 90% of patients maintained normal IgG levels. Clinicians should strive to use minimally effective doses of rituximab and other B-cell-depleting therapies and consider important comorbidities to minimize risks of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Langer-Gould
- From the Department of Neurology (A.L.-G.), Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group; Departments of Clinical Science (A.L.-G.) and Health Systems Science (S.X.), Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena; Department of Research and Evaluation (B.H.L., J.B.S., S.X.), Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA
| | - Bonnie H Li
- From the Department of Neurology (A.L.-G.), Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group; Departments of Clinical Science (A.L.-G.) and Health Systems Science (S.X.), Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena; Department of Research and Evaluation (B.H.L., J.B.S., S.X.), Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA
| | - Jessica B Smith
- From the Department of Neurology (A.L.-G.), Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group; Departments of Clinical Science (A.L.-G.) and Health Systems Science (S.X.), Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena; Department of Research and Evaluation (B.H.L., J.B.S., S.X.), Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA
| | - Stanley Xu
- From the Department of Neurology (A.L.-G.), Los Angeles Medical Center, Southern California Permanente Medical Group; Departments of Clinical Science (A.L.-G.) and Health Systems Science (S.X.), Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena; Department of Research and Evaluation (B.H.L., J.B.S., S.X.), Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA
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Elgenidy A, Abdelhalim NN, Al-kurdi MAM, Mohamed LA, Ghoneim MM, Fathy AW, Hassaan HK, Anan A, Alomari O. Hypogammaglobulinemia and infections in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with anti-CD20 treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19,139 multiple sclerosis patients. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1380654. [PMID: 38699050 PMCID: PMC11063306 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1380654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent years have seen the emergence of disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS), such as anti-cluster of differentiation 20 (anti-CD20) monoclonal antibodies, aiming to modulate the immune response and effectively manage MS. However, the relationship between anti-CD20 treatments and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, particularly the development of hypogammaglobulinemia and subsequent infection risks, remains a subject of scientific interest and variability. We aimed to investigate the intricate connection between anti-CD20 MS treatments, changes in IgG levels, and the associated risk of hypogammaglobulinemia and subsequent infections. Method PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases have been searched for relevant studies. The "R" software utilized to analyze the occurrence of hypogammaglobulinemia, infections and mean differences in IgG levels pre- and post-treatment. The subgrouping analyses were done based on drug type and treatment duration. The assessment of heterogeneity utilized the I2 and chi-squared tests, applying the random effect model. Results Thirty-nine articles fulfilled our inclusion criteria and were included in our review which included a total of 20,501 MS patients. The overall prevalence rate of hypogammaglobulinemia was found to be 11% (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.15). Subgroup analysis based on drug type revealed varying prevalence rates, with rituximab showing the highest at 18%. Subgroup analysis based on drug usage duration revealed that the highest proportion of hypogammaglobulinemia occurred in individuals taking the drugs for 1 year or less (19%). The prevalence of infections in MS patients with a focus on different infection types stratified by the MS drug used revealed that pulmonary infections were the most prevalent (9%) followed by urinary tract infections (6%), gastrointestinal infections (2%), and skin and mucous membrane infections (2%). Additionally, a significant decrease in mean IgG levels after treatment compared to before treatment, with a mean difference of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.22 to 0.93). Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of anti-CD20 drugs on serum IgG levels in MS patients, exploring the prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia, based on different drug types, treatment durations, and infection patterns. The identified rates and patterns offer a foundation for clinicians to consider in their risk-benefit. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=518239, CRD42024518239.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Elgenidy
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ahmed Anan
- Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Omar Alomari
- Hamidiye International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Baker D, Kang AS, Giovannoni G, Schmierer K. Neutropenia following immune-depletion, notably CD20 targeting, therapies in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 82:105400. [PMID: 38181696 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Neutropenia serves as a risk factor for severe infection and is a consequence of some immune-depleting immunotherapies. This occurs in people with multiple sclerosis following chemotherapy-conditioning in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and potent B cell targeting agents. Whilst CD52 is expressed by neutrophils and may contribute to early-onset neutropenia following alemtuzumab treatment, deoxycytidine kinase and CD20 antigen required for activity of cladribine tablets, off-label rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and ublituximab are not or only weakly expressed by neutrophils. Therefore, alternative explanations are needed for the rare occurrence of early and late-onset neutropenia following such treatments. This probably occurs due to alterations in the balance of granulopoiesis and neutrophil removal. Neutrophils are short-lived, and their removal may be influenced by drug-associated infections, the killing mechanisms of the therapies and amplified by immune dyscrasia due to influences on neutropoiesis following growth factor rerouting for B cell recovery and cytokine deficits following lymphocyte depletion. This highlights the small but evident neutropenia risks following sustained B cell depletion with some treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Baker
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.
| | - Angray S Kang
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Dental Institute, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital London, BartsHealth NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Schmierer
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital London, BartsHealth NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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