Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Fingolimod in Patients With Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective Analysis in Buenos Aires, Argentina

A Prospective, Observational Study Assessing Effectiveness, Safety, and QoL of Greek Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Under Treatment with Fingolimod

INTRODUCTION

Fingolimod is the first approved oral therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The present study aimed to further characterize fingolimod's safety profile, and to assess the patient-reported treatment satisfaction and impact of fingolimod on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated in routine care in Greece.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, prospective, observational, 24-month study conducted in Greece by hospital-based and private practice neurologists who specialize in MS. Eligible patients had initiated fingolimod within 15 days in accordance with the locally approved label. Safety outcomes included any adverse event (AE) observed during the study period and efficacy outcomes included both objective (disability progression and 2-year annualized relapse rate) and patient-reported assessments (Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) v1.4 and the EuroQol (EQ)-5-dimension (5D) 3-level instruments).

RESULTS

A total of 489 eligible patients (age 41.2 ± 9.8 years; 63.7% female; 4.2% treatment-naive) were exposed to fingolimod for a median of 23.7 months. During the observation period, 20.5% of the participants experienced 233 AEs. Lymphopenia (8.8%), leukopenia (4.2%), hepatic enzyme increased (3.4%), and infections (3.0%) were the most common. Most patients (89.3%) did not experience disability progression; the 2-year annualized relapse rate decreased by 94.7% compared to baseline. The median EQ-visual analogue scale (VAS) was 74.5 at month 24 vs. 65.0 at enrollment (p < 0.001) and the EQ-5D index score was 0.80 vs. 0.78, respectively. Significant improvements were noted in the TSQM global satisfaction and effectiveness domain scores between 6 and 24 months post enrollment (median scores at month 24, 71.4 and 66.7, respectively) (p < 0.001). Significant increases from enrollment to the 24th month were also noted in the patients' global satisfaction and effectiveness domain scores [mean change of 7.4 ± 17.7 (p = 0.005) and mean increase of 5.4 ± 16.2) (p = 0.043), respectively].

CONCLUSION

In the real-world setting of Greece, fingolimod demonstrates a clinical benefit and a predictable and manageable safety profile, which contribute towards high patient-reported treatment satisfaction and improvements in the QoL of patients with MS.

Review article: Risk of cardiovascular events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving small molecule drugs

BACKGROUND

In the context of an ageing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population, cardiovascular comorbidities become particularly relevant. Novel small molecule drugs (SMDs) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe IBD have been recently approved, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1P) modulators. Data from rheumatoid arthritis population have raised concerns about the risk of cardiovascular events with the use of tofacitinib, which was extrapolated to other immune-mediated diseases and other JAK inhibitors. S1P receptor modulation has been associated with potential cardiovascular events, especially bradycardia and cardiac conduction abnormalities.

AIM

To review the incidence of cardiovascular events with the use of SMDs in patients with IBD and to provide practical recommendations on mitigation strategies.

METHODS

Published literature was reviewed; recommendations were synthesised by experts in both cardiovascular diseases and IBD.

RESULTS

Evidence from the IBD population does not indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular events with tofacitinib and other JAK inhibitors. The risk is higher in patients with intermediate to high cardiovascular risk. S1P modulators may be associated with a dose-dependent, first-dose effect, transient risk of conduction abnormalities (bradycardia and AV block). Screening and monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors should be done in all patients with IBD. Risk stratification for cardiovascular disease should be performed before starting treatment with SMDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence of both JAK inhibitors and S1P modulators indicates a reassuring safety profile of SMDs from the cardiovascular perspective in the overall IBD population. Efforts should be made to identify patients with IBD at a higher risk of cardiovascular events.

The Disease-Modifying Therapies of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Liver Injury: A Narrative Review

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.

Newly approved agents for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: how real-world evidence compares with randomized clinical trials?

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, many treatment options have become available for relapsing remitting MS. Randomized clinical trials and real-world studies are complementary sources of information, and together have the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of the safety and efficacy profiles of each drug, a critical factor for a personalized management of the disease.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors provide an up-to-date review of both RCTs and real-world studies assessing the safety and efficacy profiles of recently developed disease-modifying drugs for relapsing remitting MS. These include fingolimod, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, alemtuzumab and ocrelizumab.

EXPERT OPINION

From the authors' review of the literature, the efficacy profiles resulted from RCTs were confirmed by observational studies with regard to the disease-modifying drugs considered. The magnitude of the effects on annualized relapse rates and MRI active lesions was generally even larger in the observational studies compared to RCTs. From the safety point of view, observational studies revealed new adverse events, mostly in the area of bacterial and opportunistic infections, not seen in the relative registration programme. This is a very important gain because it allows to elaborate appropriate strategies to prevent and handle the risks.