An Update on the Use of Disease-Modifying Therapy in Pregnant Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Understanding the meaning of the lived experience "maternal role" in women with multiple sclerosis and planning a supportive program: a combined exploratory study protocol

BACKGROUND

The maternal role is one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles that women experience in their lives. It begins when a woman becomes pregnant, and as the pregnancy progresses, she prepares to fulfill her role as a mother. A woman's health plays a crucial role in her ability to fulfill the maternal role. Multiple sclerosis (MS), as an autoimmune disease, presents unique challenges in achieving this role. Failing to fulfill the maternal role can have lasting consequences for both the mother and the baby. Given the increasing number of women with MS of reproductive age in Iran and the absence of specific programs for this group during pregnancy and postpartum, researchers have decided to develop a supportive program by exploring the meaning of the maternal role and identifying the needs of these women during this period.

METHODS/MATERIALS

This study will be conducted in 3 stages. The first stage involves a qualitative study to explore the meaning of the "maternal role" in women with MS through a descriptive and interpretive phenomenological approach based on Van Manen's method. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with pregnant women with MS and mothers with MS who have children under one-year-old, recruited from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Mashhad, Iran. The second stage will involve designing a support program based on the findings of the phenomenological study, literature review, and exploratory interviews. A logical model will guide the development of the program, and validation will be conducted using the nominal group technique.

DISCUSSION

This study is the first of its kind in Iran to explore the meaning of the maternal role and develop a support program for women with MS. It is hoped that the results of this study will help address the challenges of motherhood faced by these women.

Updated Perspectives on the Challenges of Managing Multiple Sclerosis During Pregnancy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated, inflammatory, and degenerative disease that is up to three times more frequent in young women. MS does not alter fertility and has no impact on fetal development, the course of pregnancy, or childbirth. The Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis Study in 1998 showed that pregnancy, mostly in untreated women, did not adversely affect MS, as disease activity decreased during pregnancy (although it significantly increased in the first trimester postpartum). These findings, together with the limited information available on the potential risks of fetal exposure to disease modifying treatments (DMTs), meant that women were advised to delay the onset of DMTs, stop them prior to conception, or, in case of unplanned pregnancy, discontinue them when pregnancy was confirmed. Now, many women with MS receive DMTs before pregnancy and, despite being considered a period of MS stability, up to 30% of patients could relapse in the first trimester postpartum. Factors associated with an increased risk of relapse and disability during pregnancy and postpartum include relapses before and during pregnancy, a greater disability at the time of conception, the occurrence of relapses after DMT cessation before conception, and the use of high-efficacy DMTs before conception, especially natalizumab or fingolimod. Strategies to prevent postpartum activity are needed in some patients, but consensus is lacking regarding the therapeutic strategies for women with MS of a fertile age. This, along with the increasing number of DMTs, means that the decision-making processes in aspects related to family planning and therapeutic strategies before, during, and after pregnancy are increasingly more complex. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on pregnancy-related issues in women with MS, including recommendations for counseling, general management, use of DMTs in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum periods, and breastfeeding-related aspects of DMTs.

Pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis in France from 2010 to 2015: Incidence, outcomes, and exposure to disease-modifying therapies

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually diagnosed between 20-40 years old, when women often plan to have children.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to estimate pregnancy incidence rates in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to describe the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) before conception and during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included all 15- to 49-year-old women with MS in the French national health insurance database over 2010-2015. A pregnancy was exposed if a DMT reimbursement claim occurred during pregnancy or in the 14 preceding days. We used zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression models to estimate incidence rates and ordinal and multinomial regression models to estimate DMT exposure and pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

The pregnancy incidence rate was 4.5 per 100 person-years. The probability of having a DMT-exposed pregnancy increased from 0.22 in 2010 to 0.30 in 2015. The probability of live birth was 0.72 (95% CI = 0.70-0.74) for exposed pregnancies (varied considerably among DMTs), 0.77 (95% CI = 0.76-0.79) without treatment, and 0.81 (95% CI = 0.79-0.83) if treatment was stopped within the previous year.

CONCLUSION

In this population-based study, we showed an increase of exposed pregnancies over time, beta-interferon and glatiramer acetate being the most used DMTs and associated with the highest probabilities of live birth. Interrupted exposed pregnancies may reflect undesired pregnancies or fear of an adverse outcome, while recent DMT stop probably reflects pregnancy planning.

Influence of Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis and Impact of Disease-Modifying Therapies

Purpose of this Review: This article is a systematic review on the influence pregnancy has on multiple sclerosis and the resulting impact of disease-modifying therapies.

Findings: Multiple sclerosis predominantly affects young women with a clinical onset most often during the child-bearing age. The impact of multiple sclerosis and disease-modifying therapies on fertility, pregnancy, fetal outcome, and breastfeeding is a pivotal topic when it comes to clinical practice. The introduction of disease-modifying therapies has changed not only the natural history of the disease but also the perspective of pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis. Family planning requires careful consideration, especially because many disease-modifying drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy. In this article, we review current evidence collected from published literature and drug-specific pregnancy registers on the use of disease-modifying therapies. Additionally, we discuss safety profiles for each drug and correlate them to both risk for the exposed fetus and risk for the mothers interrupting treatments when seeking pregnancy.

Teriflunomide-exposed pregnancies in a French cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective

To describe pregnancies exposed to teriflunomide (TERIF) in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) in France over the period 2014-2016.

Methods

All 15- to 49-year-old women with MS in the national health insurance database were included. Pregnancies that had started between August 2014 and March 2016 were identified from their outcomes. Three groups according to treatment exposure were compared: TERIF, interferons (IFNs) or glatiramer acetate, and no medication.

Results

Among the 44,008 women with MS followed 24.5 months on average, 2,639 pregnancies were identified. There were 1,538 pregnancies (58.3%) that were not exposed to any MS treatment in accordance with the guidelines. A total of 673 pregnancies (25.5%) were exposed to IFN and/or glatiramer acetate, and possible or probable exposure to contra-indicated treatments was observed in 428 pregnancies (16.2%), of whom 47 pregnancies were exposed to TERIF. The annual incidence rate of pregnancies exposed to TERIF was 1.4 per 100 patient-years; i.e., 3 times less than the 2 control groups (5.6 and 4.7, respectively). The median exposure duration to TERIF was 45 days after conception. The outcomes comprised 23 live births, 22 abortions (3 times more than the 2 other groups), and 2 miscarriages. All newborns were healthy at birth.

Conclusions

Despite specific TERIF guidelines for pregnancy-related issues and the availability of alternative therapies, some pregnancies exposed to TERIF were identified. Most of the cases were because of the absence of the recommended accelerated elimination procedure and appeared to be mostly unplanned pregnancies that probably reflect a lack of effective contraception.

Long-term drug treatment in multiple sclerosis: safety success and concerns

INTRODUCTION

The portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease modifying treatments (DMTs) has significantly expanded over the past two decades. Given the lifelong use of MS pharmacotherapy, understanding their long-term safety profiles is essential in determining suitable and personalized treatment.

AREAS COVERED

In this narrative review, we summarize the short-, mid-, and long-term safety profile of currently available MS DMTs categories. In addition to the initial trial findings, safety outcomes derived from long-term extension studies (≥5-20 years) and safety-based prescription programs have been reviewed. In order to better understand the risk-benefit ratio for each particular DMT group, a short description of the DMT-based efficacy outcomes has been included.

EXPERT OPINION

Long-term extension trials, large observational studies and real-world databases allow detection of rare and potentially serious adverse events. Two-year-long trials are unable to fully capture the positive and negative effects of immune system modulation and reconstitution. DMT-based monitoring programs can provide greater insights regarding safe use of MS medications in different patient populations and clinical settings. During the process of shared DMT decision, both MS care providers and their patients should be aware of an ever-expanding number of drug-based adverse events and their influence on the risk-benefit analysis.

Pregnancy with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually diagnosed between twenty and forty years of age, when people often plan to have children. A lot has been said about the effect of pregnancy on the course of MS. The individual factors responsible for the disease modifying effect of pregnancy are not well determined. Having MS neither affects the fertility or the course of pregnancy itself. During pregnancy, many women find that their symptoms stay the same or even improve. Epidural and spinal analgesia appear to be safe and in general are not contraindicated for patients with MS. The management of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in pregnancy is a new issue for consideration in the clinical practice. There is limited information available into the safety of DMT use during pregnancy, especially for the most recent ones. In general, discontinuation of DMTs is recommended before conception to minimize risk of fetal harm. Women with very active MS before pregnancy who stop second-line treatments may show an increase in disease activity during pregnancy. Therefore, it might be discussed to maintain patients on DMTs until pregnancy is confirmed, and sometimes throughout pregnancy, to avoid a rebound of disease activity and severe relapses during pregnancy in very active patients.

Pregnancy outcomes from the global pharmacovigilance database on interferon beta-1b exposure

BACKGROUND

The goal of the present cohort study was to review outcomes of patients exposed to interferon beta-1b during pregnancy.

METHODS

Pregnancy cases with exposure to interferon beta-1b reported to Bayer's pharmacovigilance (PV) database from worldwide sources from January 1995 through February 2018 were retrieved for evaluation. Only cases where pregnancy outcomes were unknown at the time of reporting (i.e. prospective cases) were included in the analysis of this retrospective cohort study.

RESULTS

As of February 2018, 2581 prospective pregnancies exposed to interferon beta-1b were retrieved from the database; 1348 pregnancies had documented outcomes. The majority of outcomes [1106 cases (82.0%)] were live births. Health status was known for 981 live births (no known health status for 125). Most of the prospective pregnancies with known outcomes corresponded to live births with no congenital anomalies [896 cases (91.3%)]. Spontaneous abortion occurred in 160 cases (11.9%). Congenital birth defects were observed in 14/981 live births with known health status [1.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-2.38]. No consistent pattern in the type of birth defect was identified. Rates of both spontaneous abortion and birth defects were not higher than the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

These PV data, the largest sample of interferon beta-1b-exposed patients reported to date, suggest no increase in risk of spontaneous abortion or congenital anomalies in women exposed during pregnancy.

Pregnancy outcomes in interferon-beta-exposed patients with multiple sclerosis: results from the European Interferon-beta Pregnancy Registry

Background

Family planning is an important consideration for women with multiple sclerosis (MS), who are often diagnosed during their reproductive years. Currently, limited data are available on pregnancy outcomes in patients exposed to interferon-beta (IFN-beta) before or during pregnancy. Here, we present the cumulative pregnancy exposure data and prevalence of pregnancy and infant outcomes in IFN-beta-exposed pregnant women with MS from the European IFN-beta Pregnancy Registry.

Methods

Using spontaneous and solicited reports, the registry collected data from 26 countries of the European Economic Area, consisting of information on women with MS identifying themselves to one of the Marketing Authorisation Holders (Bayer, Biogen, Merck KGaA, and Novartis) or healthcare professionals as pregnant and exposed to IFN-beta during pregnancy or within 1 month before conception. The outcomes collected by the registry included ectopic pregnancies, spontaneous abortions, elective terminations, live, and stillbirths with or without congenital anomalies. The prevalence of pregnancy outcomes was put in context with those reported in the general population.

Results

Between 2009 and 2017, the registry collected 948 pregnancy reports with a known pregnancy outcome. Overall, 82.0% (777/948) of pregnancies resulted in live birth without congenital anomaly. When comparing IFN-beta-exposed pregnancies with the general population, the prevalence of spontaneous abortions (10.7% vs. 10–21%) and congenital anomalies in live births (2.1% vs. 2.1–4.1%) were found to be within reported ranges.

Conclusions

The data gathered from these pregnancy cases suggest no evidence that IFN-beta exposure before conception and/or during pregnancy adversely increases the rate of congenital anomalies or spontaneous abortions.

Supplementary Information

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-09762-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Managing Risks with Immune Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

Since the introduction of the interferons in the 1990s, a multitude of different immunomodulatory and immunosuppressant disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) have been developed. They have all shown positive effects on clinical endpoints such as relapse rate and disease progression and are a heterogeneous group of therapeutics comprising recombinant pegylated and non-pegylated interferon-β variants, peptide combinations, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules. However, they have relevant side effect profiles, which necessitate thorough monitoring and straightforward patient education. In individual cases, side effects can be severe and potentially life-threatening, which is why knowledge about (neurological and non-neurological) adverse drug reactions is essential for prescribing neurologists as well as general practitioners. This paper aims to provide an overview of currently available MS therapies, their modes of action and safety profiles, and the necessary therapy monitoring.

Pregnancy-related issues in women with multiple sclerosis: an evidence-based review with practical recommendations

Objective: To review the current evidence regarding pregnancy-related issues in multiple sclerosis (MS) and to provide recommendations specific for each of them. Research design and methods: A systematic review was performed based on a comprehensive literature search. Results: MS has no effect on fertility, pregnancy or fetal outcomes, and pregnancies do not affect the long-term disease course and accumulation of disability. There is a potential risk for relapse after use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists during assisted reproduction techniques. At short-term, pregnancy leads to a reduction of relapses during the third trimester, followed by an increased risk of relapses during the first three months postpartum. Pregnancies in MS are not per se high risk pregnancies, and MS does not influence the mode of delivery or anesthesia unless in the presence of significant disability. MRI is not contraindicated during pregnancy; however, gadolinium contrast media should be avoided whenever possible. It is safe to use pulse dose methylprednisolone infusions to manage acute disabling relapses during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, its use during the first trimester of pregnancy is still controversial. Women with MS should be encouraged to breastfeed with a possible favorable effect of exclusive breastfeeding. Disease-modifying drugs can be classified according to their potential for pregnancy-associated risk and impact on fetal outcome. Interferon beta (IFNβ) and glatiramer acetate (GA) may be continued until pregnancy is confirmed and, after consideration of the individual risk-benefit if continued, during pregnancy. The benefit of continuing natalizumab during the entire pregnancy may outweigh the risk of recurring disease activity, particularly in women with highly active MS. GA and IFNβ are considered safe during breastfeeding. The use of natalizumab during pregnancy or lactation requires monitoring of the newborn. Conclusions: This review provides current evidence and recommendations for counseling and management of women with MS preconception, during pregnancy and postpartum.

Dynamic Balance of Microglia and Astrocytes Involved in the Remyelinating Effect of Ginkgolide B

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder in the central nervous system (CNS), in which remyelination failure results in persistent neurologic impairment. Ginkgolide B (GB), a major terpene lactone and active component of Ginkgo biloba, has neuroprotective effects in several models of neurological diseases. Here, our results show, by using an in vivo cuprizone (CPZ)-induced demyelinating model, administration of GB improved behavior abnormalities, promoted myelin generation, and significantly regulated the dynamic balance of microglia and astrocytes by inhibiting the expression of TLR4, NF-κB and iNOS as well as IL-1β and TNF-α, and up-regulating the expression of Arg-1 and neurotrophic factors. GB treatment also induced the generation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). In vitro cell experiments yielded the results similar to those of the in vivo model. The dynamic balance by decreasing microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and promoting astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factors should contribute to endogenous remyelination. Despite GB treatment may represent a novel strategy for promoting myelin recovery, the precise mechanism of GB targeting microglia and astrocytes remains to be further explored.

Pregnancy and multiple sclerosis: Risk of unplanned pregnancy and drug exposure in utero

Background

Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system demyelinating disease that affects women of reproductive potential. It is important to identify the frequency and risk factors of unplanned or disease-modifying therapy-exposed pregnancies to create interventions to reduce these.

Methods

This retrospective, single-center, observational chart review study aims to identify risk factors for unplanned pregnancy to identify a target population for family counseling.

Results

In total, 63 live births in 45 patients (20 unplanned and 43 planned) were analyzed. The percentage of unplanned pregnancy was 32%. The proportion of those receiving family planning counseling was lower in the patients with unplanned pregnancies (p < 0.001). The main risk factors for unplanned pregnancy were younger age (p = 0.004), disease-modifying therapy exposure (p < 0.001), and being unmarried (p < 0.001). Overall, 16 pregnancies had disease-modifying therapy exposure and in a subsequent study the risk for disease-modifying therapy exposure was unplanned status (p < 0.001). Birth outcomes were not different between groups. There were more enhancing lesions in the post-partum magnetic resonance imaging of women with planned pregnancy (p < 0.04).

Conclusion

Prevention of unplanned pregnancy could lead to less disease-modifying therapy exposed pregnancies. This study suggests a targeted intervention of family planning counseling in younger, unmarried multiple sclerosis patients could potentially lead to less unintended in utero disease-modifying therapy exposure.

B cell depletion and pregnancy: Review and applications for MS treatment

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune condition primarily affecting young adults. As there are numerous uncertainties faced by young women of childbearing age who are living with this chronic condition and the gender ratio is increasingly skewed towards women, it has become critical to define a clear approach to questions of disease management prior to and during pregnancy. With the approval of B cell depletion therapy for treatment of relapsing remitting and primary progressive MS, we explore the available data on using this type of therapy in the setting of pregnancy. We also provide recommendations regarding use of B-cell depleting therapies for patients who are considering or attempting conception.

Women's Health: Contemporary Management of MS in Pregnancy and Post-Partum

Multiple sclerosis (MS) primarily affects women in childbearing age and is associated with an increased risk of adverse post-partum outcomes. Relapses and now fetal exposure to disease modifying treatments in the early phase of pregnancy and thereafter are of concern. Safe and effective contraception is required for women who wish to delay or avoid pregnancy while on disease-modifying treatments. Counseling and planning is essential to assess the risk of both fetal and maternal complications, particularly now in the era of highly efficient and riskier therapies. The purpose of this review is to provide a practical framework using the available data surrounding pregnancy in MS with the goal of optimizing outcomes during this phase in MS.

Management strategies for female patients of reproductive potential with multiple sclerosis: An evidence-based review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating, neurodegenerative, immune-mediated disease primarily diagnosed in early adulthood. Multiple sclerosis mostly impacts women of reproductive potential, with pregnancy and birth outcomes being major concerns for many patients. While there is ample evidence that the disease itself has no impact on pregnancy, many women living with MS still question their ability to have children, and the impact of childbearing on their disease in the short and long term. Such questions emphasize the importance of proper guidance from healthcare professionals, particularly neurologists. Management considerations are also complicated by the growing list of available treatment options. This review will summarize current evidence and expert opinion around the management of female MS patients of reproductive potential, from family planning to the postpartum period. Current guidelines on the use of disease-modifying therapies throughout pregnancy will be discussed, as well as other general medical recommendations, to minimize MS disease activity in the peripartum period.

Practical Evidence-Based Recommendations for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Who Want to Have Children

Multiple sclerosis (MS) management presently aims to reach a state of no (or minimal) evidence of disease activity. The development and commercialization of new drugs has led to a renewed interest in family planning, since patients with MS may face a future with reduced (or no) disease-related neurological disability. The advice of neurologists is often sought by patients who want to have children and need to know more about disease control at conception and during pregnancy and the puerperium. When MS is well controlled, the simple withdrawal of drugs for patients who intend to conceive is not an option. On the other hand, not all treatments presently recommended for MS are considered safe during conception, pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. The objective of the present study was to summarize the practical and evidence-based recommendations for family planning when our patients (women and men) have MS.Funding TEVA Pharmaceutical Brazil.