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Silva B, Casales F, Donoso CB, Varela L, Heriz A, Gonzalez C, Míguez J, Alonso R. Safety of high efficacy therapies in older people with Multiple Sclerosis: A real-world evidence study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 90:105830. [PMID: 39216455 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105830] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION the increase of older adults living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with higher use of high efficacy therapies (HETs) in a clinical practice. The are no data regarding the safety of HET in this patient group. OBJECTIVE to analyze the safety of HETs in older people with MS (pwMS) in a real-life cohort. METHODS retrospective cohort study including pwMS under HETs (cladribine and monoclonal antibodies) treated in two specialized MS centers in Latin America. We compare: pwMS ≥ 50 years old (G1) and < 50 years old (G2). In all pwMS, presence and type of adverse events, and comorbidities were recorded. RESULTS 882 pwMS were included, 141 (15.9 %) had ≥50 years old, 47 (33.3 %) werunde HETs (G1). The most used DMT in G1 was ocrelizumab (48.9 %), mean time under HETs: 2.06 ± 0.8 years. The most frequent adverse event in G1 was urinary tract infection (UTI) (21.3 %). We did not find significant differences between G1 and G2 in infusion reactions, lymphopenia, neoplasms, respiratory infections, and liver disease. We found differences in the frequency of urinary tract infections (p = 0.004). No cases of VZV reactivation, tuberculosis or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy were registered. In a regression model adjusted for MS evolution, time under HET, EDSS, Charlson comorbidity index and phenotype, patients 50 ≥ under HETs did not have a higher incidence of adverse events compared to < 50 (Adjusted OR 0.72; CI95 % 0.143 -3.43, p = 0.67)} CONCLUSION: the short term use of HETs in pwMS older than 50 years old seems to be safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Silva
- Centro Universitario de Esclerosis Múltiple (CUEM) Hospital Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sección Enfermedades Desmielinizantes, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Federico Casales
- Centro Universitario de Esclerosis Múltiple (CUEM) Hospital Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Lucía Varela
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Heriz
- Sección Enfermedades Desmielinizantes, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Gonzalez
- Centro Universitario de Esclerosis Múltiple (CUEM) Hospital Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jimena Míguez
- Sección Enfermedades Desmielinizantes, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Alonso
- Centro Universitario de Esclerosis Múltiple (CUEM) Hospital Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Selmaj K, Hartung HP, Mycko MP, Selmaj I, Cross AH. MS treatment de-escalation: review and commentary. J Neurol 2024; 271:6426-6438. [PMID: 39093335 PMCID: PMC11447123 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12584-x] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Almost all currently licensed disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS treatment require prolonged if not lifelong administration. Yet, as people age, the immune system has increasingly reduced responsiveness, known as immunosenescence. Many MS DMTs reduce the responsiveness of the immune system, increasing the risks for infections and possibly cancers. As people with MS (pwMS) age, it is recognized that inflammatory MS activity declines. Several studies have addressed de-escalation of DMTs for relapsing MS under special circumstances. Here, we review evidence for de-escalating DMTs as a strategy that is particularly relevant to pwMS of older age. Treatment de-escalation can involve various strategies, such as extended or reduced dosing, switching from high-efficacy DMTs having higher risks to moderately effective DMTs with lesser risks, or treatment discontinuation. Studies have suggested that for natalizumab extended dosing maintained clinical efficacy while reducing the risk of PML. Extended interval dosing of ocrelizumab mitigated the decline of Ig levels. Retrospective and observational discontinuation studies demonstrate that age is an essential modifier of drug efficacy. Discontinuation of MS treatment in older patients has been associated with a stable disease course, while younger patients who discontinued treatment were more likely to experience new clinical activity. A recently completed 2-year randomized-controlled discontinuation study in 260 stable pwMS > 55 years found stable clinical multiple sclerosis with only a small increased risk of new MRI activity upon discontinuation. DMT de-escalation or discontinuation in MS patients older than 55 years may be non-inferior to continued treatment with immunosuppressive agents having higher health risks. However, despite several small studies, a definite conclusion about treatment de-escalation in older pwMS will require larger and longer studies. Ideally, comparison of de-escalation versus continuation versus discontinuation of DMTs should be done by prospective randomized-controlled trials enrolling sufficient numbers of subjects to allow comparisons for MS patients of both sexes within age groups, such as 55-59, 60-65, 66-69, etc. Optimally, such studies should be 3 years or longer and should incorporate testing for specific markers of immunosenescence (such as T-cell receptor excision circles) to account for differential aging of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Selmaj
- Department of Neurology, University of Warmia & Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Center of Neurology, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Brain and Mind Center, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marcin P Mycko
- Department of Neurology, University of Warmia & Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | | | - Anne H Cross
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Nesbitt C, Van Der Walt A, Butzkueven H, Devitt B, Jokubaitis VG. Multiple sclerosis and cancer: Navigating a dual diagnosis. Mult Scler 2024:13524585241274523. [PMID: 39347791 DOI: 10.1177/13524585241274523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Healthcare breakthroughs are extending the lives of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and cancer survivors, creating a growing cohort of individuals navigating a dual diagnosis. Determining the relationship between MS and cancer risk remains challenging, with inconclusive findings confounded by age, risk exposures, comorbidities, genetics and the ongoing introduction of new MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) across study periods.This research places significant emphasis on cancer survival, with less attention given to the impact on MS outcomes. Our review explores the existing literature on MS, cancer risk and the intersection of DMTs and cancer treatments. We aim to navigate the complexities of managing MS in cancer survivors to optimise outcomes for both conditions. Continuous research and the formulation of treatment guidelines are essential for guiding future care. Collaboration between neuro-immunology and oncology is crucial, with a need to establish databases for retrospective and ultimately prospective analysis of outcomes in these rapidly evolving fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Nesbitt
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, MSNI Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Immunology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anneke Van Der Walt
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, MSNI Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Immunology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Helmut Butzkueven
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, MSNI Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Immunology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bianca Devitt
- Department of Oncology, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Oncology Clinical Trials Unit, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vilija G Jokubaitis
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, MSNI Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Immunology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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4
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Brufau-Cochs M, Mansilla-Polo M, Morgado-Carrasco D. [Translated article] Risk of Skin Cancer Associated with Disease-Modifying Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Evidence Review. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2024; 115:T781-T790. [PMID: 38972584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2024.07.007] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) has led to a paradigm shift in the management of multiple sclerosis. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted through an extensive literature search including Medline and Google Scholar to elucidate the link between DMT and the propensity of cutaneous malignancies. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators, such as fingolimod and siponimod are associated with a higher risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), but not squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. The associated physiopathological mechanisms are not fully understood. Alemtuzumab and cladribine show isolated associations with skin cancer. Regarding other DMT, no increased risk has ever been found. Given the evidence currently available, it is of paramount importance to advocate for necessary dermatological assessments that should be individualized to the risk profile of each patient. Nonetheless, additional prospective studies are still needed to establish efficient dermatological follow-up protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brufau-Cochs
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Mansilla-Polo
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - D Morgado-Carrasco
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital de Figueres, Fundació Salut Empordá, Figueres, Girona, Spain.
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Brufau-Cochs M, Mansilla-Polo M, Morgado-Carrasco D. Risk of skin cancer associated with disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis: a comprehensive evidence review. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2024; 115:781-790. [PMID: 38307166 DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2024.01.022] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) has led to a paradigm shift in the management of multiple sclerosis. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted through an extensive literature search including Medline and Google Scholar to elucidate the link between DMT and the propensity of cutaneous malignancies. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators, such as fingolimod and siponimod are associated with a higher risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), but not squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. The associated physiopathological mechanisms are not fully understood. Alemtuzumab and cladribine show isolated associations with skin cancer. Regarding other DMT, no increased risk has ever been found. Given the evidence currently available, it is of paramount importance to advocate for necessary dermatological assessments that should be individualized to the risk profile of each patient. Nonetheless, additional prospective studies are still needed to establish efficient dermatological follow-up protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brufau-Cochs
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - M Mansilla-Polo
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - D Morgado-Carrasco
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital de Figueres, Fundació Salut Empordá, Figueres, Girona, España.
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Shephard A, Kolaczkowski L, Barker N, Nahal D, Oreja-Guevara C, Reyes S, Gray H, Salloukh H, Giovannoni G. Making Information About Cladribine Tablets Accessible to People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Patient-Survey-Led Narrative Review for Healthcare Professionals. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:1015-1038. [PMID: 38760637 PMCID: PMC11263527 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00608-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cladribine tablets have been granted marketing authorization in Europe and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, people with MS (PwMS) may be more familiar, and therefore more confident, with treatments requiring long-term and frequent dosing. Differences in such treatment strategies can lead to questions relating to how short-course non-continuous treatments, such as cladribine tablets, can work and how well they are tolerated. In response to this, we aimed to create an evidence-based report on patient-focused aspects of treatment with cladribine. To inform development, MS experts, including healthcare professionals (HCPs) and PwMS, proposed topics that PwMS and their families and caregivers would most like to discuss with HCPs during consultations to help them better understand cladribine treatment. The statements regarding each topic were then ranked by PwMS and used to inform the topics covered in this report. We explain here the use of cladribine tablets, which includes explanations of how cladribine tablets work, how to take cladribine tablets, and considerations required prior to and while taking cladribine tablets. We also describe how cladribine tablets affect relapse rate and quality of life and detail side effects, when they are likely to happen, and for how long. We also discuss how cladribine tablets affect family planning, fertility, and the use of vaccines. Alongside each section is a brief, plain language description of what is covered and an accompanying visual to aid conversations between HCPs and PwMS. Improved understanding by PwMS of treatments, such as cladribine, can empower them to play a bigger role in shared decision-making regarding their treatment. Additionally, the open dialogue we aim to promote with this type of report could lead to treatment choices being better tailored for individuals with chronic diseases on the basis of personal experiences, preferences, and circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardra Shephard
- Patient Author: MS blogger and podcaster [trippingonair.com], patient speaker and advocate, creator, based in Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura Kolaczkowski
- Patient Author: MS blogger [MultipleSclerosis.net], lead patient representative [iConquerMS], patient expert, speaker and advocate, based in Beavercreek, OH, USA
| | - Noreen Barker
- The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Donna Nahal
- Patient Author: MS patient advocate and speaker, based in Birmingham, UK
| | - Celia Oreja-Guevara
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Saúl Reyes
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Helen Gray
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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Potuznik P, Drahota J, Horakova D, Peterka M, Mazouchova A, Matyas D, Pavelek Z, Vachova M, Recmanova E, Stetkarova I, Libertinova J, Mares J, Stourac P, Grunermelova M, Martinkova A, Adamkova J, Hradilek P, Ampapa R, Dufek M, Kubala Havrdova E, Stastna D. Real-world effectiveness of cladribine as an escalation strategy for MS: Insights from the Czech nationwide ReMuS registry. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2024; 16:11795735241262743. [PMID: 39055049 PMCID: PMC11271105 DOI: 10.1177/11795735241262743] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cladribine, a selective immune reconstitution therapy, is approved for the treatment of adult patients with highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives Provide experience with cladribine therapy in a real-world setting. Methods This is a registry-based retrospective observational cohort study. First, using data from the Czech nationwide registry ReMuS, we analysed patients who initiated cladribine from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021. Second, we analysed a subgroup of patients who initiated cladribine between September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020, thus possessing a follow-up period of at least 2 years. We evaluated demographic and MS characteristics including disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) before and after cladribine administration, relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and adherence. Results In total, 617 patients (335 with follow-up of at least 2 years) started cladribine therapy in the study period (mean age 37.0, mean disease duration 8.4 years, 74.1% females). In most cases, cladribine was administered as a second-line drug, a total of 80.7% had been escalated from a platform DMT. During 2 years before cladribine initiation, the average annualised relapse rate (ARR) was .67. Following cladribine initiation, the ARR decreased to .28 in the first year and .22 in the second year. Overall, across the entire two-year treatment period, 69.0% of patients were relapse-free and the average ARR was .25. As for EDSS development, the median baseline EDSS was 2.5 and remained stable even after 24 months. The adherence to treatment ranged of around 90%. Conclusion This nationwide study confirms the efficacy of cladribine in real-world settings, especially in patients who are not treatment-naïve. In addition, the study shows an exceptionally high adherence rate, a finding that underscores the invaluable role of cladribine, but also the value of registry-based studies in capturing real-world clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Potuznik
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Pilsen, Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Drahota
- Department of Neurology and Centre of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
- Endowment Fund IMPULS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Horakova
- Department of Neurology and Centre of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Peterka
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Pilsen, Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Mazouchova
- Endowment Fund IMPULS, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Economic Statistics, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Matyas
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbysek Pavelek
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Vachova
- Department of Neurology and Centre of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Neurology, KZ a.s., Hospital Teplice, Teplice, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Recmanova
- Department of Neurology, Tomas Bata Hospital, Zlin, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Stetkarova
- Department of Neurology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Libertinova
- Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mares
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University and University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Stourac
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Alena Martinkova
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Adamkova
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hradilek
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ostrava and Medical Faculty, Ostrava University, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Ampapa
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Jihlava, Jihlava, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Dufek
- 1st Department of Neurology, University Hospital U Svate Anny and Masaryk University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Centre of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Stastna
- Department of Neurology and Centre of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
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Collongues N, Durand-Dubief F, Lebrun-Frenay C, Audoin B, Ayrignac X, Bensa C, Bigaut K, Bourre B, Carra-Dallière C, Ciron J, Defer G, Kwiatkowski A, Leray E, Maillart E, Marignier R, Mathey G, Morel N, Thouvenot E, Zéphir H, Boucher J, Boutière C, Branger P, Da Silva A, Demortière S, Guillaume M, Hebant B, Januel E, Kerbrat A, Manchon E, Moisset X, Montcuquet A, Pierret C, Pique J, Poupart J, Prunis C, Roux T, Schmitt P, Androdias G, Cohen M. Cancer and multiple sclerosis: 2023 recommendations from the French Multiple Sclerosis Society. Mult Scler 2024; 30:899-924. [PMID: 38357870 DOI: 10.1177/13524585231223880] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological data reveal that 45% of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in France are more than 50 years. This population more than 50 is more susceptible to cancer, and this risk may be increased by frequent use of immunosuppressive drugs. Consequently, concerns have arisen about the potential increased risk of cancer in PwMS and how patients should be screened and managed in terms of cancer risk. OBJECTIVE To develop evidence-based recommendations to manage the coexistence of cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS The French Group for Recommendations in MS collected articles from PubMed and university databases covering the period January 1975 through June 2022. The RAND/UCLA method was employed to achieve formal consensus. MS experts comprehensively reviewed the full-text articles and developed the initial recommendations. A group of multidisciplinary health care specialists then validated the final proposal. RESULTS Five key questions were addressed, encompassing various topics such as cancer screening before or after initiating a disease-modifying therapy (DMT), appropriate management of MS in the context of cancer, recommended follow-up for cancer in patients receiving a DMT, and the potential reintroduction of a DMT after initial cancer treatment. A strong consensus was reached for all 31 recommendations. CONCLUSION These recommendations propose a strategic approach to managing cancer risk in PwMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Collongues
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Center for Clinical Investigation, INSERM U1434, Strasbourg, France
- Biopathology of Myelin, Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Pharmacology, Addictology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Françoise Durand-Dubief
- Service de Sclérose en Plaques, Pathologies de la Myéline et Neuro-Inflammation, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France
| | - Christine Lebrun-Frenay
- Department of Neurology, CHU Nice, Nice, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, UMR2CA-URRIS, Nice, France
| | - Bertrand Audoin
- Department of Neurology, CRMBM, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Xavier Ayrignac
- Department of Neurology, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
- University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- INM, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Bensa
- Department of Neurology, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Kévin Bigaut
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Biopathology of Myelin, Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Jonathan Ciron
- CHU de Toulouse, CRC-SEP, Department of Neurology, Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III, Infinity, INSERM UMR1291-CNRS UMR5051, Toulouse, France
| | - Gilles Defer
- Department of Neurology, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Arnaud Kwiatkowski
- Department of Neurology, Lille Catholic University, Lille Catholic Hospitals, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Leray
- Université de Rennes, EHESP, CNRS, INSERM, ARENES-UMR 6051, RSMS-U1309, Rennes, France
| | | | - Romain Marignier
- Service de Sclérose en Plaques, Pathologies de la Myéline et Neuro-Inflammation, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France
| | - Guillaume Mathey
- Department of Neurology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Nathalie Morel
- Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier Annecy Genevois, Epagny-Metz-Tessy, France
| | - Eric Thouvenot
- Service de Neurologie, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Hélène Zéphir
- University of Lille, INSERM U1172, CHU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Julie Boucher
- Department of Neurology, CHU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Clémence Boutière
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Branger
- Service de Neurologie, CHU de Caen Normandie, Caen, France
| | - Angélique Da Silva
- Breast Cancer Unit, Centre François Baclesse, Institut Normand du Sein, Caen, France
| | - Sarah Demortière
- Department of Neurology, CRMBM, APHM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Edouard Januel
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France/Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, Département de Santé Publique, Paris, France
- Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Anne Kerbrat
- Service de Neurologie, CHU de Rennes, France
- EMPENN U1228, INSERM-INRIA, Rennes, France
| | - Eric Manchon
- Service de Neurologie, Centre Hospitalier de Gonesse, Gonesse, France
| | - Xavier Moisset
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, INSERM, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Chloé Pierret
- Université de Rennes, EHESP, CNRS, INSERM, ARENES-UMR 6051, RSMS U-1309, Rennes, France
| | - Julie Pique
- Service de Sclérose en Plaques, Pathologies de la Myéline et Neuro-Inflammation, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France
| | - Julien Poupart
- Department of Neurology and U995-LIRIC-Lille Inflammation Research International Center, INSERM, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Chloé Prunis
- Department of Neurology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Thomas Roux
- Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Neurologie, Paris, France
- CRC-SEP Paris. Centre des maladies inflammatoires rares du cerveau et de la moelle de l'enfant et de l'adulte (Mircem)
| | | | - Géraldine Androdias
- Service de Sclérose en Plaques, Pathologies de la Myéline et Neuro-Inflammation, Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France
- Clinique de la Sauvegarde-Ramsay Santé, Lyon, France
| | - Mikael Cohen
- Department of Neurology, CHU Nice, Nice, France/Université Côte d'Azur, UMR2CA-URRIS, Nice, France
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Yamout B, Al-Jumah M, Sahraian MA, Almalik Y, Khaburi JA, Shalaby N, Aljarallah S, Bohlega S, Dahdaleh M, Almahdawi A, Khoury SJ, Koussa S, Slassi E, Daoudi S, Aref H, Mrabet S, Zeineddine M, Zakaria M, Inshasi J, Gouider R, Alroughani R. Consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: 2023 revision of the MENACTRIMS guidelines. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 83:105435. [PMID: 38245998 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105435] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
With evolving diagnostic criteria and the advent of new oral and parenteral therapies for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), most current diagnostic and treatment algorithms need revision and updating. The diagnosis of MS relies on incorporating clinical and paraclinical findings to prove dissemination in space and time and exclude alternative diseases that can explain the findings at hand. The differential diagnostic workup should be guided by clinical and laboratory red flags to avoid unnecessary tests. Appropriate selection of MS therapies is critical to maximize patient benefit. The current guidelines review the current diagnostic criteria for MS and the scientific evidence supporting treatment of acute relapses, radiologically isolated syndrome, clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting MS, progressive MS, pediatric cases and pregnant women. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide practical recommendations and algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of MS based on current scientific evidence and clinical experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Yamout
- Neurology Institute and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - M Al-Jumah
- InterHealth hospital, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - M A Sahraian
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Y Almalik
- Division of Neurology, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - J Al Khaburi
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Hospital, Sultanate of Oman
| | - N Shalaby
- Neurology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - S Bohlega
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - A Almahdawi
- Consultant Neurologist, Neurology Unit, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City Complex, Iraq
| | - S J Khoury
- Nehme and Therese Tohme Multiple Sclerosis Center, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - S Koussa
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Geitaoui Lebanese University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - E Slassi
- Hôpital Cheikh Khalifa Ibn Zaid, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - S Daoudi
- Hospital Center Nedir Mohamed, Faculty of Medicine, University Mouloud Mammeri Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
| | - H Aref
- Neurology Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - S Mrabet
- Department of Neurology, CIC, Razi Universitary Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - M Zeineddine
- Middle East and North Africa Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (MENACTRIMS), Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - J Inshasi
- Department of Neurology, Rashid Hospital and Dubai Medical College, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - R Gouider
- Department of Neurology, CIC, Razi Universitary Hospital, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - R Alroughani
- Amiri Hospital, Arabian Gulf Street, Sharq, Kuwait
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10
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Kim KH, Kim SH, Park NY, Kim MJ, Hyun JW, Kim HJ. Latent tuberculosis infection in Korean patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2024; 81:105145. [PMID: 38039942 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105145] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is defined as an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection that does not manifest clinically as active tuberculosis (TB). Since some immunotherapies can alter cellular immunity, LTBI screening has been recommended for patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) before initiation of long-term immunotherapies. In this study, we investigated the frequency of LTBI in Korean pwMS and patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (pwNMOSD) and reported the long-term observation of untreated LTBI under various immunotherapies. METHODS We enrolled pwMS or pwNMOSD who visited the Neurology department of the National Cancer Center between 2017 and 2021. LTBI was determined based on positive results of interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) using QuantiFERON Gold Plus test and no evidence of active TB. Annual chest X-ray and careful monitoring for TB symptoms were performed until April 2023 or the time of follow-up loss. RESULTS Among 531 patients who underwent the IGRA test, 25 pwMS (10.5%) and 42 pwNMOSD (14.3%) were diagnosed with LTBI. Of the 67 patients with LTBI, 59 patients (24 pwMS and 35 pwNMOSD) declined to receive preventive anti-TB drugs. None of the 59 with untreated LTBI demonstrated TB reactivation during 74.8 person-years in pwMS and 166.1 person-years in pwNMOSD. In addition, eight patients who completed the treatment for LTBI experienced no TB reactivation for a median of 5.5 years. CONCLUSION The LTBI prevalence in Korean pw MS and pwNMOSD was 10.5% and 14.3%, respectively, which was much higher than that in pwMS from Western countries. Notably, none of the 59 patients with untreated LTBI showed TB reactivation over 240 person-years even under long-term immunotherapies, indicating the need for additional research to stratify the risk of LTBI-reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Hoon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, South Korea
| | - Su-Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, South Korea
| | - Na Young Park
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, South Korea
| | - Min Jeong Kim
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, South Korea
| | - Jae-Won Hyun
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, South Korea
| | - Ho Jin Kim
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute and Hospital of National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, South Korea.
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11
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Selmaj K, Cree BAC, Barnett M, Thompson A, Hartung HP. Multiple sclerosis: time for early treatment with high-efficacy drugs. J Neurol 2024; 271:105-115. [PMID: 37851189 PMCID: PMC10769939 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11969-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
This review addresses current changes in the approach to treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The widely practiced approach of utilizing agents with lower treatment efficacy (LETA) at onset with subsequent escalation has been challenged by new data suggesting that MS patients derive greater benefit when therapy is initiated with high-efficacy treatment agents (HETA). Several recent studies compared treatment efficacy and safety of early administration of HETA versus LETA. The results of randomized, double blind, phase III studies with LETA as a control arm and population-based larger and longer studies using propensity scoring, marginal structural modeling and weighted cumulative exposure analysis support the benefit of early treatment with HETA. Patients initiating their treatment with HETA, regardless of prognostic factors and MRI burden at baseline, showed significantly lower annualized relapse rate (ARR) and reduced disability progression in follow-up periods of up to 10-15 years. Moreover, the safety profile of recently approved HETA ameliorates concerns about off-target effects associated with a number of earlier high-efficacy drugs. Patient perception has also changed with an increasing preference for medication profiles that both improve symptoms and prevent disease progression. Accumulating data from randomized studies and the results of large population-based studies demonstrating short-term and longer-term patient benefits support the view that HETA should be more widely used. The adoption of early treatment with HETA capitalizes on a window of opportunity for anti-inflammatory drugs to maximally impact disease pathology and heralds a sea change in clinical practice toward pro-active management and away from a philosophy routed in generating clinical benefit as a consequence of treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Selmaj
- Department of Neurology, University of Warmia and Mazury, 30 Warszawska Ave, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Center of Neurology, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Bruce A C Cree
- Department of Neurology, Weill Neurosciences Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael Barnett
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alan Thompson
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College, London, London, UK
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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12
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Deleu D, Garcia Canibano B, Elalamy O, Sayed Abdelmoneim M, Boshra A. Practical Guidance on the Use of Cladribine Tablets in the Management or Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Expert Opinion from Qatar. Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 13:81-88. [PMID: 38105885 PMCID: PMC10725680 DOI: 10.2147/dnnd.s433459] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing availability of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for the management of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) has increased the potential for individualised patient management but has added complexity to the design of treatment regimens. The long-term application of immune reconstitution therapy (IRT) is supported by an increasing database of real world studies that have added important information on the long-term safety and efficacy of this approach. Cladribine tablets (CladT) is an IRT given as two annual short courses of treatment, following which a majority of patients then demonstrate no significant MS disease activity over a period of years. Whether, and how, to treat patients beyond the first two years of treatment remains a matter for debate, as clinical evidence accumulates. We, a group of neurologists who manage people with RMS in Qatar, provide our expert consensus recommendations on the application and long-term management of CladT therapy based on our experience with treatment in the last 5 years. These include pragmatic recommendations for people with MS disease activity in years 3 and 4 (ie up to four years following first dose of CladT), and for people with or without MS disease activity in subsequent years. We believe our recommendations will help to ensure the optimal application of CladT-based IRT, with the potential benefit for the patient of achieving prolonged periods free of both MS disease symptoms and the burden of regular applications of immunosuppressive DMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Deleu
- Department of Neurology (Neurosciences Institute), Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Osama Elalamy
- Department of Neurology (Neurosciences Institute), Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Amir Boshra
- Merck Serono Middle East FZ-Ltd., Dubai, UAE, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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13
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Allen-Philbey K, De Trane S, MacDougall A, Adams A, Bianchi L, Campion T, Giovannoni G, Gnanapavan S, Holden DW, Marta M, Mathews J, Turner BP, Baker D, Schmierer K. Disease activity 4.5 years after starting cladribine: experience in 264 patients with multiple sclerosis. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2023; 16:17562864231200627. [PMID: 37954917 PMCID: PMC10638874 DOI: 10.1177/17562864231200627] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cladribine is an effective immunotherapy for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Whilst most pwMS do not require re-treatment following standard dosing (two treatment courses), disease activity re-emerges in others. The characteristics of pwMS developing re-emerging disease activity remain incompletely understood. Objectives To explore whether clinical and/or paraclinical baseline characteristics, including the degree of lymphocyte reduction, drug dose and lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with re-emerging disease activity. Design Service evaluation in pwMS undergoing subcutaneous cladribine (SClad) treatment. Methods Demographics, clinical, laboratory and MRI data of pwMS receiving two courses of SClad were extracted from health records. To assess associations of predictor variables with re-emerging disease activity, a series of Cox proportional hazards models was fitted (one for each predictor variable). Results Of n = 264 pwMS 236 received two courses of SClad and were included in the analysis. Median follow-up was 4.5 years (3.9, 5.3) from the first, and 3.5 years (2.9, 4.3) from the last SClad administration. Re-emerging disease activity occurred in 57/236 pwMS (24%); 22/236 received further cladribine doses (SClad or cladribine tablets) at 36.7 months [median; interquartile range (IQR): 31.7, 42.1], and 22/236 other immunotherapies 18.9 months (13.0, 30.2) after their second course of SClad, respectively. Eligibility was based on MRI activity in 29, relapse in 5, both in 13, elevated cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain level in 3, deterioration unrelated to relapse in 4 and other in 3. Only 36/57 of those eligible for additional immunotherapy had received a reduced dose of SClad for their second treatment course. Association was detected between re-emerging disease activity and (i) high baseline MRI activity and (ii) low second dose of SClad. Conclusion Re-emerging disease activity was associated with baseline MRI activity and low dose second course of SClad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Allen-Philbey
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Stefania De Trane
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Neurological Rehabilitation and Spinal Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Bari, Italy
| | - Amy MacDougall
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ashok Adams
- Department of Neuroradiology, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lucia Bianchi
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Campion
- Department of Neuroradiology, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Preventive Neurology Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Sharmilee Gnanapavan
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - David W. Holden
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Monica Marta
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Joela Mathews
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Benjamin P. Turner
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - David Baker
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Butzkueven H, Hillert J, Soilu-Hänninen M, Ziemssen T, Kuhle J, Wergeland S, Magyari M, Berger JR, Moore N, Aydemir A, Bezemer I, Sabidó M. The CLARION study: first report on safety findings in patients newly initiating treatment with cladribine tablets or fingolimod for multiple sclerosis. Curr Med Res Opin 2023; 39:1367-1374. [PMID: 37675878 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2256220] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As part of the CLARION study: (1) characterize the incidence of severe infections, herpes zoster, and malignancies in patients newly initiating cladribine or fingolimod for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS); (2) estimate the incidence of severe lymphopenia among cladribine users; and (3) describe prior/subsequent disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in both cohorts. METHODS Patients were identified from seven participating MS registries/data sources. The incidence rate (IR) of each outcome per 1000 patient-years and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were estimated for cohorts using Poisson regression. RESULTS By cut-off date (01-April-2020), 742 cladribine and 867 fingolimod users were included. Mean follow-up was ∼1 year. The IR for severe infections from all contributing sources (except Denmark) was: cladribine, 7.37 (2.76,19.6); fingolimod, 6.55 (2.46,17.4). The corresponding IR for herpes zoster was 5.51 (1.78,17.1) and 3.27 (0.82,13.1), respectively, while values for opportunistic infections were 0 (0,6.76) and 1.63 (0.23,11.6), respectively. There were no events of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in either cohort. The IR of severe lymphopenia was 63.9 (40.7,100.1) in 349 cladribine users from contributing sources. The IR of malignancies (cut-off date 01-April-2022) was 3.55 (1.59,7.90) for the cladribine cohort (n = 1035) and 3.55 (1.48,8.52) for the fingolimod cohort (n = 843) from three MS registries/data sources. In the combined data sources, 36.8% of cladribine and 27.4% of fingolimod users were DMT-naïve; after initiation of study treatment, 2.5% and 20.2% switched to another DMT, respectively. CONCLUSION No new safety signal was observed in patients treated with cladribine tablets, although results are limited by a relatively short duration of follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Butzkueven
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Hillert
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merja Soilu-Hänninen
- Turku University Hospital Neurocenter and Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Multiple Sclerosis Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stig Wergeland
- Norwegian MS Registry and Biobank, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Melinda Magyari
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center and the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joseph R Berger
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas Moore
- Bordeaux PharmacoEpi (BPE), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Aida Aydemir
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc, Billerica, MA, USA, an affiliate of Merck KGaA
| | - Irene Bezemer
- Global Epidemiology, IQVIA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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Clavelou P, Castelnovo G, Pourcher V, De Sèze J, Vermersch P, Ben-Amor AF, Savarin C, Defer G. Expert Narrative Review of the Safety of Cladribine Tablets for the Management of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1457-1476. [PMID: 37382841 PMCID: PMC10444734 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00496-3] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cladribine tablets (CladT) is a highly active oral disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for the management of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). CladT acts as an immune reconstitution therapy, in that two short courses of treatment 1 year apart have been shown to suppress disease activity for a prolonged period in most patients, without need for continued DMT. Each course of CladT induces a profound reduction in B lymphocytes that recovers over months, and serious lymphopenia (Grade 3-4) is uncommon. Smaller reductions in levels of T lymphocytes occur slightly later: on average, these remain within the normal range and repopulate progressively. A larger effect occurs on CD8 vs. CD4 cells. Reactivation of latent or opportunistic infections (e.g. varicella zoster, tuberculosis) is mostly associated with very low lymphocyte counts (< 200/mm3). Screening and managing pre-existing infections, vaccinating non-exposed patients and delaying the 2nd year of treatment with CladT to allow lymphocytes to recover to > 800/mm3 (if necessary) are important for avoiding infections and higher-grade lymphopenia. There was no demonstrable or apparent effect of CladT on the efficacy of vaccinations, including against Covid-19. Adverse events consistent with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) represent a rare but potentially serious complication of CladT therapy in spontaneous adverse event reporting; patients should be screened for liver dysfunction before starting treatment. Ongoing hepatic monitoring is not required, but CladT must be withdrawn if signs and symptoms of DILI develop. There was a numerical imbalance for malignancies when comparing cladribine to placebo in the clinical programme, particularly in short-term data, but recent evidence shows that the risk of malignancy with CladT is similar to the background rate in the general population and to that with other DMTs. Overall, CladT is well tolerated with a favorable safety profile appropriate for the management of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Clavelou
- Department of Neurology, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, 58 Rue Montalembert, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1, France.
| | - Giovanni Castelnovo
- Department of Neurology, Nîmes University Hospital, Hopital Caremeau, Nîmes, France
| | - Valérie Pourcher
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP, Sorbonne Université, INSERM 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jerome De Sèze
- Department of Neurology, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patrick Vermersch
- Univ. Lille, Inserm U1172 LilNCog, CHU Lille, FHU Precise, Lille, France
| | - Ali-Frederic Ben-Amor
- Global Medical Affairs Neurology and Immunology, Ares Trading SA (An affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Carine Savarin
- Neurology Department, Medical Affairs (An affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Merck Santé, Lyon, France
| | - Gilles Defer
- Department of Neurology, Caen University Hospital, Caen, France
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16
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Brownlee WJ, Haghikia A, Hayward B, Waser N, Kayaniyil S, Khan Z, Duncan J, Millar S, Harty GT. Comparative effectiveness of cladribine tablets versus fingolimod in the treatment of highly active multiple sclerosis: A real-world study. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 76:104791. [PMID: 37343465 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104791] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cladribine tablets and fingolimod have similar marketing authorisations in Europe for the treatment of patients with highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (HA-RMS). In the absence of direct head-to-head studies, real-world data are important to assess the comparative effectiveness of these oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The primary objective of the present study was to compare relapse rates between patients who received either cladribine tablets or fingolimod. METHODS This multicentre retrospective study conducted in the United Kingdom and Germany assessed non-inferiority in relapse rates of cladribine tablets versus fingolimod in HA-RMS patients over a 12-month period. Eligible patients who initiated treatment with cladribine tablets or fingolimod at least 12 months prior to the screening date were sampled consecutively until the target sample size was reached. Patients were censored at discontinuation of study treatment, commencement of another DMT, death, loss to follow-up, or at 12 months post-baseline, whichever happened earliest. The primary analytic timeframe for physician-confirmed relapse outcomes was the study effectiveness period (nine months of follow-up after an initial 12 weeks of treatment). Propensity score analysis was applied based on the inverse probability of treatment weighting approach. RESULTS The primary analytic cohort consisted of 1,095 HA-RMS patients: 610 (55.7%) receiving cladribine tablets and 485 (44.3%) receiving fingolimod. Fewer patients discontinued cladribine tablets and/or switched to another DMT compared with fingolimod (0.2% versus 3.5%, respectively). The primary endpoint, adjusted annualised relapse rate (ARR), was 0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-0.14) for cladribine tablets and 0.14 (95% CI: 0.10-0.20) for fingolimod. The adjusted ARR ratio of cladribine tablets versus fingolimod was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.42-1.11). Given the entire 95% CI was less than the non-inferiority margin of 1.2, cladribine tablets was non-inferior to fingolimod. CONCLUSIONS In this real-world retrospective cohort study, cladribine tablets demonstrated comparable effectiveness to fingolimod at one year following treatment initiation. The full treatment dosage of cladribine tablets is completed over two years and so these results may be conservative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace J Brownlee
- Queen Square MS Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Aiden Haghikia
- Ruhr-University Bochum & St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Brooke Hayward
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA, an affiliate of Merck KGaA
| | - Nathalie Waser
- ICON plc, 3455 North Service Rd, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3G2, Canada
| | - Sheena Kayaniyil
- ICON plc, 3455 North Service Rd, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3G2, Canada
| | - Zaeem Khan
- ICON plc, 3455 North Service Rd, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3G2, Canada
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Velișcu EM, Liguori V, Anatriello A, Maniscalco GT, Cantone A, Di Costanzo L, Stefanelli P, Scavone C, Capuano A. Hepatobiliary Adverse Reactions during Treatment with Cladribine: Analysis of Data from the European Spontaneous Reporting System. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1071. [PMID: 37630986 PMCID: PMC10459297 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cladribine belongs to the group of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). According to the highlights of a meeting held by the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on 14 January 2022, cladribine may be associated with the occurrence of liver injury, and thus liver function monitoring is recommended. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Using data from the European spontaneous reporting database (EudraVigilance-EV), we aimed to describe the main characteristics of Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) reporting cases of hepatobiliary disorders related to cladribine. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) was calculated to provide the probability of reporting hepatobiliary ICSRs among DMTs used to treat MS. RESULTS Overall, 118 ICSRs described the occurrence of cladribine-induced hepatobiliary ADRs. The majority of the ICSRs reported ADRs that were classified as serious (93%), and the outcome was mostly reported as "unknown" (50.8%). The most reported hepatobiliary disorders were drug-induced liver injury, abnormal hepatic function, ALT increases, liver disorders, hepatic failure, jaundice, lymphocyte count decreases, hepatotoxicity and hypertransaminasemia. The majority of cladribine-induced hepatic ADRs occurred in female patients belonging to the age group of 18-65 years. CONCLUSION Considering the seriousness of cladribine-induced hepatic ADRs, a close monitoring of patients receiving this drug is highly recommended. In this context, further pharmacovigilance studies evaluating the hepatic safety profile of cladribine are strongly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valerio Liguori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (A.C.); (L.D.C.); (A.C.)
- Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology of Campania Region, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Anatriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (A.C.); (L.D.C.); (A.C.)
- Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology of Campania Region, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco
- Multiple Sclerosis Regional Center, “A. Cardarelli” Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Neurological Clinic and Stroke Unit, “A. Cardarelli” Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Cantone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (A.C.); (L.D.C.); (A.C.)
- Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology of Campania Region, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Di Costanzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (A.C.); (L.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Pasquale Stefanelli
- Dipartimento Farmaceutico, UOC Farmaceutica Convenzionata e Territoriale, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Cristina Scavone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (A.C.); (L.D.C.); (A.C.)
- Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology of Campania Region, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Capuano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.L.); (A.C.); (L.D.C.); (A.C.)
- Regional Center of Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology of Campania Region, 80138 Naples, Italy
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18
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Centonze D, Amato MP, Brescia Morra V, Cocco E, De Stefano N, Gasperini C, Gallo P, Pozzilli C, Trojano M, Filippi M. Multiple sclerosis patients treated with cladribine tablets: expert opinion on practical management after year 4. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2023; 16:17562864231183221. [PMID: 37434878 PMCID: PMC10331342 DOI: 10.1177/17562864231183221] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neurological disease involving neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and demyelination. Cladribine tablets are approved for immune reconstitution therapy in patients with highly active relapsing-remitting MS based on favorable efficacy and tolerability results from the CLARITY study that have been confirmed in long-term extension studies. The approved 4-year dosing regimen foresees a cumulative dose of 3.5 mg/kg administered in two cycles administered 1 year apart, followed by 2 years of observation. Evidence on managing patients beyond year 4 is scarce; therefore, a group of 10 neurologists has assessed the available evidence and formulated an expert opinion on management of the growing population of patients now completing the approved 4-year regimen. We propose five patient categories based on response to treatment during the first 4-year regimen, and corresponding management pathways that envision close monitoring with clinical visits, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or biomarkers. At the first sign of clinical or radiological disease activity, patients should receive a highly effective disease-modifying therapy, comprising either a full cladribine regimen as described in regulatory documents (cumulative dose 7.0 mg/kg) or a comparably effective treatment. Re-treatment decisions should be based on the intensity and timing of onset of disease activity, clinical and radiological assessments, as well as patient eligibility for treatment and treatment preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Centonze
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Amato
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brescia Morra
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Center and Department of Neuroscience (NSRO), Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cocco
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health and Centro Sclerosi Multipla, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudio Gasperini
- Department of Neurosciences, S Camillo Forlanini Hospital Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Gallo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Pozzilli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Filippi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
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19
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Bridge F, Brotherton JML, Foong Y, Butzkueven H, Jokubaitis VG, Van der Walt A. Risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer in women with multiple sclerosis exposed to high efficacy disease modifying therapies. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1119660. [PMID: 36846149 PMCID: PMC9950275 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1119660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing need to better understand the risk of malignancy in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population, particularly given the relatively recent and widespread introduction of immunomodulating disease modifying therapies (DMTs). Multiple sclerosis disproportionately affects women, and the risk of gynecological malignancies, specifically cervical pre-cancer and cancer, are of particular concern. The causal relationship between persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer has been definitively established. To date, there is limited data on the effect of MS DMTs on the risk of persistent HPV infection and subsequent progression to cervical pre-cancer and cancer. This review evaluates the risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer in women with MS, including the risk conferred by DMTs. We examine additional factors, specific to the MS population, that alter the risk of developing cervical cancer including participation in HPV vaccination and cervical screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bridge
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julia M. L. Brotherton
- Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (Formerly Victorian Cytology Service), Carlton South, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yi Foong
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurosciences, Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Helmut Butzkueven
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vilija G. Jokubaitis
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anneke Van der Walt
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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20
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Habek M, Drulovic J, Brecl Jakob G, Barbov I, Radulovic L, Rajda C, Rejdak K, Turčáni P. Treatment with Cladribine Tablets Beyond Year 4: A Position Statement by Southeast European Multiple Sclerosis Centers. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:25-37. [PMID: 36394714 PMCID: PMC9672547 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00422-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on the results of the pivotal CLARITY study, cladribine tablets were approved for use in the European Union in 2017 as a high-efficacy therapy for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Cladribine tablets are used as an induction therapy: half of the total dose is given in year 1 and the other half in year 2. In the CLARITY Extension trials, repeating the dose routinely in years 3 and 4, was not associated with significantly improved disease control. However, there is very limited evidence on how to manage people with MS (pwMS) beyond year 4, which is increasingly important because more and more patients are now ≥ 4 years after cladribine treatment. Overall, postapproval data show that treatment with two cladribine cycles effectively controls disease activity in the long term. However, there is general agreement that some pwMS with suboptimal response could benefit from retreatment. This study reviews the practical aspects of using cladribine tablets, summarizes the evidence from clinical trials and real-world studies on the safety and efficacy of cladribine, and proposes a treatment algorithm developed by expert consensus for pwMS previously treated with cladribine. In brief, we propose that additional courses of cladribine tablets should be considered in patients with minimal (no relapses, 1-2 new lesions) or moderate (1 relapse, 3-4 new lesions) disease activity, while significant disease activity (> 1 relapse, > 3 new lesions) or progression should warrant a switch to another high-efficacy treatment (HET). More evidence is needed to improve the treatment guidelines for pwMS who previously received cladribine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Habek
- Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Jelena Drulovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gregor Brecl Jakob
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivan Barbov
- University Clinic for Neurology Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Ljiljana Radulovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Cecilia Rajda
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Konrad Rejdak
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Peter Turčáni
- 1St Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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21
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Hepatotoxicity of Drugs Used in Multiple Sclerosis, Diagnostic Challenge, and the Role of HLA Genotype Susceptibility. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010852. [PMID: 36614299 PMCID: PMC9821303 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and the association with other autoimmune diseases is well-documented. There are many therapeutic options for the treatment of MS. Most of the available drugs cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI) to variable extents with heterogeneous clinical and biological manifestations, including liver injury with or without signs of hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. The diagnosis of DILI may be particularly difficult because MS is frequently associated with idiopathic autoimmune hepatitis. Recent advances suggest that MS and immune-mediated DILI could be promoted by genetic factors, including HLA genotype. In addition, some of these drugs may promote hepatitis B virus reactivation. This review explores the potential hepatotoxicity of drugs used to treat MS and the criteria to distinguish DILI from idiopathic autoimmune hepatitis associated with MS. The role of susceptible genes both promoting MS and causing the hepatotoxicity of the drug used for MS treatment is also discussed.
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22
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Oreja-Guevara C, Brownlee W, Celius EG, Centonze D, Giovannoni G, Hodgkinson S, Kleinschnitz C, Havrdova EK, Magyari M, Selchen D, Vermersch P, Wiendl H, Van Wijmeersch B, Salloukh H, Yamout B. Expert opinion on the long-term use of cladribine tablets for multiple sclerosis: Systematic literature review of real-world evidence. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 69:104459. [PMID: 36565573 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment with cladribine tablets (CladT), an immune reconstitution therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), involves two short courses of treatment in Year 1 and Year 2. Most patients achieve sustained efficacy with CladT, but a small proportion may experience new disease activity (DA). Following completion of the indicated dose, physicians may have questions relating to the long-term management of these patients. Since the EU approval of CladT over 5 years ago, real-world evidence (RWE) is increasing and may provide some insights and guidance for clinical practice. We describe a systematic literature review (SLR) of RWE and provide expert opinions relating to six questions regarding the long-term use of CladT. METHODS Pertinent clinical questions were developed by a steering committee (SC) of 14 international multiple sclerosis (MS) experts regarding breakthrough DA in Year 1, new DA after 2 years or more of treatment, long-term management of stable patients, and whether additional courses of CladT may be required or safe. An SLR was performed in EMBASE and PubMed using the population, intervention, comparators, outcomes, study design (PICOS) framework to identify relevant studies within the last 15 years. Searches of key congress proceedings for the last 2-3 years were also performed. Following review of the results and RWE, the SC drafted and agreed on expert opinion statements for each question. RESULTS A total of 35 publications reporting RWE for CladT were included in this review. In the real world, breakthrough DA in Year 1 is of low incidence (1.1-21.9%) but can occur, particularly in patients switching from anti-lymphocyte trafficking agents. In most patients, this DA did not lead to treatment discontinuation. Reported rates of DA after the full therapeutic effect of CladT has been achieved (end of Year 2, 3 or 4) range from 12.0 to 18.7% in the few studies identified. No RWE was identified to support management decisions for stable patients in Year 5 or later. Views among the group were also diverse on this question and voting on expert opinion statements was required. Only two studies reported the administration of additional courses of CladT, but detailed safety outcomes were not provided. CONCLUSIONS RWE for the long-term use of CladT in the treatment of RMS is increasing, however, gaps in knowledge remain. Where possible, the RWE identified through the SLR informed expert statements, but, where RWE is still lacking, these were based solely on experiences and opinion, providing some guidance on topics and questions that occur in daily clinical practice. More real-world studies with longer-term follow-up periods are needed and highly anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Oreja-Guevara
- Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Wallace Brownlee
- Queen Square MS Centre, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth G Celius
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Diego Centonze
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Hodgkinson
- Department of Neurology, Liverpool Hospital, and UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational and Behavioural Neurosciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Melinda Magyari
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Daniel Selchen
- Division of Neurology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Hashem Salloukh
- Ares Trading SA, Eysins, Switzerland (An Affiliate of Merck KGaA)
| | - Bassem Yamout
- Neurology Institute, Harley Street Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE; American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
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Freeman L, Longbrake EE, Coyle PK, Hendin B, Vollmer T. High-Efficacy Therapies for Treatment-Naïve Individuals with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:1285-1299. [PMID: 36350491 PMCID: PMC9645316 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00965-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
There are > 18 distinct disease-modifying therapy (DMT) options covering 10 mechanisms of action currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Given the multitude of available treatment options, and recent international consensus guidelines offering differing recommendations, there is broad heterogeneity in how the DMTs are used in clinical practice. Choosing a DMT for newly diagnosed patients with MS is currently a topic of significant debate in MS care. Historically, an escalation approach to DMT was used for newly diagnosed patients with RRMS. However, the evidence for clinical benefits of early treatment with high-efficacy therapies (HETs) in this population is emerging. In this review, we provide an overview of the DMT options and MS treatment strategies, and discuss the clinical benefits of HETs (including ofatumumab, ocrelizumab, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, and cladribine) in the early stages of MS, along with safety concerns associated with these DMTs. By minimizing the accumulation of neurological damage early in the disease course, early treatment with HETs may enhance long-term clinical outcomes over the lifetime of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léorah Freeman
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1601 Trinity St, Austin, TX, 78701, USA.
| | | | - Patricia K Coyle
- Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Barry Hendin
- Banner, University Medicine Neurosciences Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Timothy Vollmer
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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24
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Saraceno L, Pirro F, Stigliano R, Agostoni EC, Protti A. Acute idiosyncratic liver injury after Cladribine treatment for multiple sclerosis: first case report and review on associated hepatic disorders. Mult Scler 2022; 28:2142-2145. [PMID: 36169305 DOI: 10.1177/13524585221125360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, several disease-modifying therapies have been developed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Cladribine transiently depletes B and T lymphocytes, with subsequent gradual cell recovery. No cases are reported in literature describing Cladribine drug-induced liver injury (DILI). We describe the case of a 19-year-old woman who developed acute idiosyncratic liver injury 12 days after treatment with Cladribine. Post-marketing adverse event reporting is of paramount importance to allow an early recognition and treatment. Moreover, evaluation of the physiopathological mechanism underlying drug-induced hepatic toxicity can provide clinicians with valuable instruments for prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Saraceno
- Department of Neurosciences, Multiple Sclerosis Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy/Department of Neurosciences, Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Pirro
- Department of Neurosciences, Multiple Sclerosis Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy/Department of Neurosciences, Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Stigliano
- Gastroenterology Department, Hepatitis Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Clemente Agostoni
- Department of Neurosciences, Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Protti
- Department of Neurosciences, Multiple Sclerosis Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy/Department of Neurosciences, Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
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25
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Balasa R, Maier S, Hutanu A, Voidazan S, Andone S, Oiaga M, Manu D. Cytokine Secretion Dynamics of Isolated PBMC after Cladribine Exposure in RRMS Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810262. [PMID: 36142168 PMCID: PMC9499495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cladribine (CLD) treats multiple sclerosis (MS) by selectively and transiently depleting B and T cells with a secondary long-term reconstruction of the immune system. This study provides evidence of CLD’s immunomodulatory role in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) harvested from 40 patients with untreated relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) exposed to CLD. We quantified cytokine secretion from PBMCs isolated by density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll−Paque using xMAP technology on a FlexMap 3D analyzer with a highly sensitive multiplex immunoassay kit. The PBMC secretory profile was evaluated with and without CLD exposure. PBMCs isolated from patients with RRMS for ≤12 months had significantly higher IL-4 but significantly lower IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion after CLD exposure. PBMCs isolated from patients with RRMS for >12 months had altered inflammatory ratios toward an anti-inflammatory profile and increased IL-4 but decreased TNF-α secretion after CLD exposure. CLD induced nonsignificant changes in IL-17 secretion in both RRMS groups. Our findings reaffirm CLD’s immunomodulatory effect that induces an anti-inflammatory phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodica Balasa
- Ist Neurology Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Neurology, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Smaranda Maier
- Ist Neurology Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Neurology, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Adina Hutanu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Laboratory Medicine, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Septimiu Voidazan
- Department of Epidemiology, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Sebastian Andone
- Ist Neurology Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Neurology, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Mirela Oiaga
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Doina Manu
- Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, ‘George Emil Palade’ University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
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Meuth SG, Bayas A, Kallmann B, Linker R, Rieckmann P, Wattjes MP, Mäurer M, Kleinschnitz C. Long-term management of multiple sclerosis patients treated with cladribine tablets beyond year 4. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:1503-1510. [PMID: 35930260 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2106783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oral cladribine is a highly effective pulsed selective immune reconstitution therapy licensed for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) since 2017. A full treatment course comprises two treatment cycles given 1 year apart, followed by two treatment-free years. The management of cladribine-treated patients beyond year 4 needs to be addressed as patients have now passed the initial 4 years since European Medical Agency approval. AREAS COVERED A panel of neurologists and a neuroradiologist experienced in MS treatment/monitoring evaluated clinical trial data and real-world evidence and proposed recommendations for the management of cladribine-treated patients beyond year 4. EXPERT OPINION Continuous monitoring of disease activity during the treatment-free period is important. Subsequent management depends on the presence or absence of inflammatory disease activity, determined in the absence of consistent guidelines via practice-driven neurological decision criteria. Persisting or newly occurring inflammatory disease activity is an indication for further treatment, i.e. either re-initiation of cladribine or switching to another highly effective disease-modifying therapy. The decision to retreat or switch should be based on clinical and radiological evaluation considering disease course, treatment history, and safety aspects. In the absence of disease activity, either retreatment can be offered, or the treatment-free period can be extended under structured monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven G Meuth
- Klinik für Neurologie des Universitätsklinikums Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Antonios Bayas
- Klinik für Neurologie und Klinische Neurophysiologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Linker
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Rieckmann
- Abteilung für Neurologie, Medical Park Loipl, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mike P Wattjes
- Department of diagnostic and interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mathias Mäurer
- Klinik für Neurologie, Juliusspital Würzburg Klinikum Würzburg Mitte gGmbH, Würzburg, Germany
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Cauchi M, Willis M, Andrews A, Backx M, Brownlee W, Ford HL, Gran B, Jolles S, Price S, Rashid W, Schmierer K, Tallantyre EC. Multiple sclerosis and the risk of infection: Association of British Neurologists consensus guideline. Pract Neurol 2022; 22:practneurol-2022-003370. [PMID: 35863879 DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2022-003370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Infection in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is of major concern, particularly for those receiving disease-modifying therapies. This article explores the risk of infection in people with MS and provides guidance-developed by Delphi consensus by specialists involved in their management-on how to screen for, prevent and manage infection in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Cauchi
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Mark Willis
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Angela Andrews
- Pharmacy Neurosciences Directorate, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Matthijs Backx
- Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Wales and Department of Microbiology, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Wallace Brownlee
- Queen Square MS Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, London, UK
| | - Helen L Ford
- Centre for Neurosciences, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK, Leeds, UK
| | - Bruno Gran
- Department of Neurology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
- Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience Academic Unit, University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephen Jolles
- Immunodeficiency Centre for Wales, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sian Price
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Waqar Rashid
- Department of Neuroscience, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Klaus Schmierer
- The Blizard Institute (Neuroscience, Surgery & Trauma), Queen Mary University of London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
- Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma C Tallantyre
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
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Butzkueven H, Moore N, Aydemir A, Sõnajalg J, Bezemer I, Korhonen P, Sabidó M. The CLARION study design and status update: a long-term, registry-based study evaluating adverse events of special interest in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis newly started on cladribine tablets. Curr Med Res Opin 2022; 38:1167-1176. [PMID: 35357268 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2059977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the design of the CLARION post-approval safety study (EU PAS Register number, EUPAS24484) and provide a status update, including characteristics of patients included up to 1 May 2021. METHODS CLARION aims to further evaluate adverse events of special interest in patients who are newly initiating treatment with cladribine tablets for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). The study population consists of two cohorts: patients newly initiating cladribine tablets (cladribine cohort) and patients newly initiating oral fingolimod tablets (comparator fingolimod cohort), with an aim to include 8000 patients (4000 patients per cohort). The study relies on secondary use of data from pre-existing MS registries/data sources (except in Germany, where primary data collection is performed). The study is projected to last 15 years, with an anticipated 5-year inclusion period. Study outcomes are: malignancies; severe infections; tuberculosis; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; other opportunistic infections; herpes zoster; severe lymphopenia (Grade ≥ 3); and treatment discontinuation. RESULTS As of 1 May 2021, 2393 patients were included in CLARION from seven participating MS registries/data sources (cladribine cohort, n = 1266; fingolimod cohort, n = 1127). The majority of patients are female (cladribine cohort, 72.5%; fingolimod cohort, 68.0%), with mean age at onset of MS of 31.5 years for the cladribine cohort and 30.9 years for the fingolimod cohort. The majority of patients in both cohorts had relapsing MS (cladribine cohort, 92.1%; fingolimod cohort, 93.5%). CONCLUSION By providing further information on adverse events of special interest during long-term follow-up, CLARION will assist neurologists and patients regarding treatment decision-making for management of relapsing MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Butzkueven
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas Moore
- Bordeaux PharmacoEpi (BPE), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Aida Aydemir
- Global Biostatistics, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc, Billerica, MA, USA (an affiliate of Merck KGaA)
| | | | - Irene Bezemer
- Global Epidemiology and Outcomes Research, IQVIA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Giovannoni G, Mathews J. Cladribine Tablets for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Clinician's Review. Neurol Ther 2022; 11:571-595. [PMID: 35318617 PMCID: PMC8940595 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00339-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination for which there is currently no cure; therefore, the aim of therapy is to reduce the risk of relapse and disability progression. The treatment options for MS have increased greatly in recent years with the development of several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and the advent of immune reconstitution therapy (IRT). IRTs are administered in short-dosing periods to produce long-term effects on the immune system. Treatment with an IRT is based on the 3Rs: reduction, repopulation, and reconstitution of lymphocytes, which leads to restoration of immune effector functions. Cladribine tablets represent a selective, high-efficacy, oral form of IRT for patients with MS that targets lymphocytes and spares innate immune cells. Patients require only two weekly treatment courses, with each course comprising two treatment weeks, in Years 1 and 2; therefore, cladribine tablets are associated with a lower monitoring burden than many other DMTs, while short dosing periods can help to improve adherence. This review provides an overview of IRT and offers the clinician's perspective on the current MS treatment landscape, with a focus on practical advice for the management of patients undergoing treatment with cladribine tablets based on the most recent evidence available, including risks associated with COVID-19 and recommendations for vaccination in patients with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, London, E1 2AT, UK.
| | - Joela Mathews
- Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
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Moser T, Ziemssen T, Sellner J. Real-world evidence for cladribine tablets in multiple sclerosis: further insights into efficacy and safety. Wien Med Wochenschr 2022; 172:365-372. [PMID: 35451662 PMCID: PMC9026047 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-022-00931-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cladribine (CLAD) is a purine nucleoside analog approved in tablet form to treat highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). CLAD tablets are the first oral therapy with an infrequent dosing schedule, administered in two annual treatment courses, each divided into two treatment cycles comprising 4–5 days of treatment. The efficacy and safety of CLAD tablets have been verified in randomized controlled clinical trials. Clinical observational studies are performed in more representative populations and over more extended periods, and thus provide valuable complementary insights. Here, we summarize the available evidence for CLAD tablets from post-marketing trials, including two observational, four long-term extensions, and two comparative studies. The patients in the post-marketing setting differed from the cohort recruited in the pivotal phase III trials regarding demographics and MS-related disability. The limited number of studies with small cohorts corroborate the disease-modifying capacity of oral CLAD and report on a durable benefit after active treatment periods. Skin-related adverse events were common in the studies focusing on safety aspects. In addition, single cases of CLAD-associated autoimmune events have been reported. Lastly, CLAD tablets appear safe regarding COVID-19 concerns, and patients mount a robust humoral immune response to SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination. We conclude that the current real-world evidence for CLAD tablets as immune reconstitution therapy for treatment of MS is based on a small number of studies and a population distinct from the cohorts randomized in the pivotal phase III trials. Further research should advance the understanding of long-term disease control after active treatment periods and the mitigation of adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Moser
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johann Sellner
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Medical Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, Landesklinikum Mistelbach-Gänserndorf, Liechtensteinstraße 67, 2130, Mistelbach, Austria.
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Barbieri MA, Sorbara EE, Battaglia A, Cicala G, Rizzo V, Spina E, Cutroneo PM. Adverse Drug Reactions with Drugs Used in Multiple Sclerosis: An Analysis from the Italian Pharmacovigilance Database. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:808370. [PMID: 35281926 PMCID: PMC8904918 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.808370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the importance of inflammation at the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), therapy is mainly based on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs including disease modifying therapies (DMTs). Considering the recent approval of some DMTs, pharmacovigilance becomes a fundamental tool for the acquisition of new safety data. The aim of the study was to analyze adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to the use of drugs approved for MS. All national publicly-available aggregated ADR reports recorded from 2002 to 2020 into the Reports of Adverse Reactions of Medicines (RAM) system and all complete Sicilian data reported into the Italian spontaneous reporting system (SRS) database having as suspected drugs interferon β-1a (IFN β-1a), interferon β-1b (IFN β-1b), peginterferon β-1a (PEG-IFN β-1a), glatiramer acetate (GA), natalizumab (NTZ), fingolimod (FNG), teriflunomide (TRF), dimethyl fumarate (DMF), alemtuzumab (Alem), ocrelizumab (OCZ), or cladribine (Cladr), were collected. Descriptive analyses of national, publicly-available aggregated data and full-access regional data were performed to assess demographic characteristics and drug-related variables followed by a more in-depth analysis of all Sicilian ADRs with a case-by-case assessment and a disproportionality analysis of unexpected ADRs. A total of 13,880 national reports have been collected from 2002 to 2020: they were mainly not serious ADRs (67.9% vs. 26.1%) and related to females (71.7% vs. 26.3%) in the age group 18–65 years (76.5%). The most reported ADRs were general and administration site conditions (n = 6,565; 47.3%), followed by nervous (n = 3,090; 22.3%), skin (n = 2,763; 19.9%) and blood disorders (n = 2,180; 15.7%). Some unexpected Sicilian ADRs were shown, including dyslipidemia for FNG (n = 10; ROR 28.5, CI 14.3–59.6), NTZ (n = 5; 10.3, 4.1–25.8), and IFN β-1a (n = 4; 8.7, 3.1–24.1), abortion and alopecia for NTZ (n = 9; 208.1, 73.4–590.1; n = 3; 4.9, 1.5–15.7), and vitamin D deficiency for GA (n = 3; 121.2, 30.9–475.3). Moreover, breast cancer with DMF (n = 4, 62.8, 20.5–191.9) and hypothyroidism with Cladr (n = 3; 89.2, 25.9–307.5) were also unexpected. The reporting of drugs-related ADRs in MS were mostly reported in the literature, but some unknown ADRs were also found. However, further studies are necessary to increase the awareness about the safety profiles of new drugs on the market.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessandro Battaglia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cicala
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Rizzo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Edoardo Spina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paola Maria Cutroneo
- Sicilian Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Stamatellos VP, Rigas A, Stamoula E, Lallas A, Papadopoulou A, Papazisis G. S1P receptor modulators in Multiple Sclerosis: Detecting a potential skin cancer safety signal. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 59:103681. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Cladribine Used in Increased Dosage in Patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: 20-Year Observational Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10215207. [PMID: 34768726 PMCID: PMC8584572 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10215207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cladribine is currently registered as a 10-milligram tablet formulation with a fixed cumulative dosage of 3.5 mg/kg over 2 years. It is important to investigate if an increased dosage may lead to further clinical stability with preserved safety. This study used an off-label subcutaneous (s.c.) formulation of cladribine and compared outcomes (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores and disease progression) between 52 relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) patients receiving different s.c. dosing regimens with up to 20 years of follow-up. The study group received induction therapy with s.c. cladribine (1.8 mg/kg cumulative dose; consistent with 3.5 mg/kg of cladribine tablets). Patients were subsequently offered maintenance therapy (repeated courses of 0.3 mg/kg s.c. cladribine during 5–20-year follow-up). Forty-one patients received an increased cumulative dose (higher than the induction dose of 1.8 mg/kg); 11 received the standard induction dose. Risk of progression on the EDSS correlated with lower cumulative dose (p < 0.05) and more advanced disability at treatment initiation (p < 0.05) as assessed by EDSS change between year 1 and years 5 and 10 as the last follow-up. Maintenance treatment was safe and well-tolerated, based on limited source data. Subcutaneous cladribine with increased cumulative maintenance dosage was associated with disease stability and favorable safety over a prolonged period of follow-up (up to 20 years) in RMS patients.
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Rommer P, Zettl UK. Treatment options in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 28:428-436. [PMID: 34544336 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210920151231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
There are few diseases with as many therapeutic advances in recent years as in multiple sclerosis. Nine different drug classes with more than a dozen approved therapies are now available. Similarly, there have been unimaginable advances in understanding neuromyelitis optica (now neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder [NMOSD]) over the past 15 years. Building on the knowledge gained, the first therapies have been approved in recent years. In this review, we aim to present all therapies approved for the treatment of MS or NMOSD. The different forms of application, different approval criteria and most important side effects will be presented. This work is intended for physicians who are interested in MS and NMOSD therapies and want to get a first overview and does not replace the respective guidelines of the regulatory authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulus Rommer
- Department of Neurology, Neuroimmunological Section, University of Rostock, Rostock. Germany
| | - Uwe K Zettl
- Department of Neurology, Neuroimmunological Section, University of Rostock, Rostock. Germany
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35
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Biolato M, Bianco A, Lucchini M, Gasbarrini A, Mirabella M, Grieco A. The Disease-Modifying Therapies of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Liver Injury: A Narrative Review. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:861-880. [PMID: 34319570 PMCID: PMC8354931 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00842-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this narrative review, we analyze pre-registration and post-marketing data concerning hepatotoxicity of all disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, including beta interferon, glatiramer acetate, fingolimod, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, cladribine, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, and ocrelizumab. We review the proposed causal mechanisms described in the literature and we also address issues like use of DMTs in patients with viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Most data emerged in the post-marketing phase by reports to national pharmacovigilance agencies and published case reports or case series. Serious liver adverse events are rare, but exact incidence is largely unknown, as are predictive factors. Unfortunately, none of the DMTs currently available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis is free of potential hepatic toxic effects. Cases of acute liver failure have been reported for beta-interferon, fingolimod, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, and ocrelizumab by different mechanisms (idiosyncratic reaction, autoimmune hepatitis, or viral reactivation). Patients with multiple sclerosis should be informed about possible hepatic side effects of their treatment. Most cases of liver injury are idiosyncratic and unpredictable. The specific monitoring schedule for each DMT has been reviewed and the clinician should be ready to recognize clinical symptoms suggestive for liver injury. Not all DMTs are indicated in cirrhotic patients. For some DMTs, screening for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus is required before starting treatment and a monitoring or antiviral prophylaxis schedule has been established. Beta interferon, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, and alemtuzumab are relatively contraindicated in autoimmune hepatitis due to the risk of disease exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Biolato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Centro di ricerca per la Sclerosi Multipla (CERSM), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Assunta Bianco
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head and Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Lucchini
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head and Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Centro di ricerca per la Sclerosi Multipla (CERSM), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mirabella
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Department of Aging, Neurological, Orthopedic and Head and Neck Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Centro di ricerca per la Sclerosi Multipla (CERSM), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Grieco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
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De Stefano N, Sormani MP, Giovannoni G, Rammohan K, Leist T, Coyle PK, Dangond F, Keller B, Alexandri N, Galazka A. Analysis of frequency and severity of relapses in multiple sclerosis patients treated with cladribine tablets or placebo: The CLARITY and CLARITY Extension studies. Mult Scler 2021; 28:111-120. [PMID: 33969750 PMCID: PMC8688984 DOI: 10.1177/13524585211010294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background: In the CLARITY (CLAdRIbine Tablets treating multiple sclerosis orallY) study of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, treatment with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg (CladT) significantly reduced the annualised relapse rate (ARR) versus placebo; this effect was sustained in CLARITY Extension, without further treatment. Objective: To assess the frequency and severity of relapses in patients treated with CladT versus placebo in CLARITY over 2 years and evaluate the durability of effect in patients who received no further treatment for 2 years in CLARITY Extension. Methods: In this post hoc analysis, ARRs were calculated for qualifying and all relapses, and qualifying and all severe relapses (i.e. requiring steroid treatment or leading to hospitalisation) in patients treated with CladT (n = 433) and placebo (n = 437) in CLARITY, and those from the CladT group who received placebo in CLARITY Extension (n = 98). Results: At Month 6, Year 1 and Year 2, patients receiving CladT had a significantly lower risk of qualifying or all relapses (all p < 0.0001), and qualifying or all severe relapses (all p < 0.005), compared with placebo. This effect was sustained in CLARITY Extension without further treatment. Conclusion: The results show durable efficacy of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg for reducing frequency and severity of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. CLARITY: NCT00213135; CLARITY Extension: NCT00641537
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Neurological and Behavioural Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy/Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Sormani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Kottil Rammohan
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, MS Research Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Thomas Leist
- Division of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Jefferson University, Comprehensive MS Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia K Coyle
- Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Fernando Dangond
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Using highly effective (HE) compounds right from the beginning of disease-modifying immunotherapy (DMT) in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) has gained popularity among clinicians and pwMS alike. We discuss the most recent evidence supporting this approach, and whether any of the associated risks should stop us adopting it as a default strategy. RECENT FINDINGS With the addition of injectable ofatumumab, and the two oral sphingosine one phosphate modulators siponimod and ozanimod, ten HE DMTs are now available for pwMS, though variation in licensing status and cost may limit their use in some healthcare environments. Real World evidence based on large MS registry data suggests the superiority of early HE DMT over a slow treatment escalation approach; delaying HE DMT leads to more rapid and often irreversible disability accrual. Mechanistically, B-cell depletion, particularly memory B-cell suppression, is a common denominator closely associated with DMT efficacy. SUMMARY The concept that HE DMTs are necessarily associated with a high risk of adverse effects, is no longer supported by the evidence. The rather predictable and manageable risk profile of most HE DMTs should lower the threshold for clinicians to discuss such treatment with pwMS as a first line approach.
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Vermersch P, Galazka A, Dangond F, Damian D, Wong SL, Jack D, Harty G. Efficacy of cladribine tablets in high disease activity patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: post hoc analysis of subgroups with and without prior disease-modifying drug treatment. Curr Med Res Opin 2021; 37:459-464. [PMID: 33331183 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2020.1865888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with high disease activity (HDA) experience more severe disease than those without HDA. This analysis describes the efficacy of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg in HDA patient subgroups that were either treated with disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) prior to study entry or were treatment naïve. METHODS Post hoc analysis of the 96 week Cladribine Tablets Treating Multiple Sclerosis Orally (CLARITY) study compared cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg to placebo in subgroups of patients meeting the high relapse activity plus disease activity on treatment definition of HDA. Patients were categorized into either prior DMD treatment or DMD treatment-naïve subgroups. Endpoints included annualized relapse rate (ARR), time to first relapse, time to disability progression and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes. No inferential statistical analyses were conducted between subgroups. RESULTS The DMD-naïve cohort (n = 187) was larger than the prior-DMD cohort (n = 102). In both the DMD-naïve and prior-DMD cohorts, cladribine tablets were associated with a reduction in ARR (rate ratio [RR]: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16-0.42; p < .0001 and RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32-0.95; p = .0324, respectively). In both subgroups, cladribine tablets increased the time to relapse versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.21-0.62; p = .0002 for DMD-naïve cohort and HR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.24-1.02; p = .0557 for prior-DMD cohort). Significant differences were observed for all assessed disability and MRI outcomes independently of previous treatment. CONCLUSION Post hoc evidence suggests consistent treatment benefits of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg during the 96 week CLARITY study among HDA-RRMS patients who were either previously treated with DMDs or were treatment naïve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Vermersch
- Inserm U1172, CHU Lille, FHU Imminent, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Andrew Galazka
- Ares Trading S.A., Eysins, Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Fernando Dangond
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA, USA, a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Doris Damian
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA, USA, a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Schiffon L Wong
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute Inc., Billerica, MA, USA, a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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Jakimovski D, Eckert SP, Zivadinov R, Weinstock-Guttman B. Considering patient age when treating multiple sclerosis across the adult lifespan. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21:353-364. [PMID: 33595379 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1886082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The successful development of anti-inflammatory disease-modifying treatments (DMT) significantly improved disease outcomes and longevity of persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, the shift toward an elderly MS population has resulted with new concerns regarding DMT efficacy and safety.Areas covered: This review summarizes the evidence of an age-based decrease in the efficacy of MS DMTs and increase in pharmacovigilance concerns. The age effects on pathophysiological MS processes, immunosenescence and its relevance to DMT selection or discontinuation are also reviewed. Lastly, the authors discuss the influence of age-associated comorbidities on DMT initiation and drug-induced events.Expert opinion: There is an age discrepancy between pwMS included in regulatory drug trials and an aging real-world MS population. Most trials demonstrate significantly diminished anti-inflammatory efficacy in patients older than 40 years old. Older age is associated with a greater risk for adverse events including serious infections. Age-associated comorbidities influence the risk-benefit analysis and sometimes cause patients to discontinue DMTs. Instead of chronological age cutoffs, therefore, studies should aim at promoting biologically-based age biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejan Jakimovski
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Svetlana P Eckert
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert Zivadinov
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Center for Biomedical Imaging at Clinical Translational Science Institute, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
- Jacobs Comprehensive MS Treatment and Research Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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