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Lapucci C, Frau J, Cocco E, Coghe G, Petracca M, Lanzillo R, Brescia Morra V, Nicoletti CG, Landi D, Marfia G, Vercellino M, Cavalla P, Bianco A, Mirabella M, Torri Clerici V, Tomas E, Ferrò MT, Grossi P, Nozzolillo A, Moiola L, Zaffaroni M, Ronzoni M, Pinardi F, Novi G, Cellerino M, Uccelli A, Inglese M. Ocrelizumab in MS patients with persistence of disease activity after alemtuzumab: A multi-center Italian study. Mult Scler 2024; 30:1151-1162. [PMID: 39143825 DOI: 10.1177/13524585241266509] [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: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reason why some multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show disease activity after alemtuzumab (ALM) is still unclear, but ocrelizumab (OCR) could represent an interesting sequential therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVES To investigate safety and efficacy of OCR in MS patients with disease activity after two ALM courses. METHODS Observational retrospective multi-centers Italian cohort study. RESULTS Seventy-two subjects were included. Mean follow-up (FU) was 2.4 (±1) years. Forty-five patients (62.5%) experienced at least one adverse event (AE), with infections accounting for 96.7% of cases. A reduction in total lymphocytes was observed between OCR start and 6 months FU, driven by BCD19+ lymphocytes depletion (p < 0.001). Immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels decreased between OCR start and 6 months FU (p < 0.001). At 2-year FU, relapse, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity and disability worsening-free survival were 92.1%, 90.8%, and 89.2%. The evidence of inflammatory activity between the two ALM courses was associated with higher risk of relapse, MRI activity, and NEDA-3 status loss in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS; p = 0.02, p = 0.05, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS OCR after two ALM courses seemed to be safe and effective. Early IgM hypogammaglobulinemia occurred in a high proportion of patients. The evidence of inflammatory activity between ALM courses seemed to increase the risk of MS re-activation on OCR treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Frau
- Centro regionale per la diagnosi e la cura della Sclerosi Multipla, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cocco
- Centro regionale per la diagnosi e la cura della Sclerosi Multipla, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Università degli studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Coghe
- Centro regionale per la diagnosi e la cura della Sclerosi Multipla, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Petracca
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lanzillo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brescia Morra
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Doriana Landi
- MS Center, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Vercellino
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, City of Health and Science, University Hospital of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Cavalla
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, City of Health and Science, University Hospital of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Assunta Bianco
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mirabella
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca per la Sclerosi Multipla "Anna Paola Batocchi," Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Torri Clerici
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Eugenia Tomas
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Ferrò
- Neuroimmunology, Neurological Unit, Cerebrovascular Department, Center for Multiple Sclerosis, ASST Crema, Crema, Italy
| | - Paola Grossi
- Neuroimmunology, Neurological Unit, Cerebrovascular Department, Center for Multiple Sclerosis, ASST Crema, Crema, Italy
| | - Agostino Nozzolillo
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Moiola
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Zaffaroni
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Ospedale di Gallarate-ASST della Valle Olona, Gallarate, Italy
| | - Marco Ronzoni
- U.O. Neurologia, ASST Rhodense, Garbagnate Milanese, Italy
| | - Federica Pinardi
- IRCCS Istituto delle scienze neurologiche di Bologna, UOSI Riabilitazione Sclerosi Multipla Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Novi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cellerino
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Uccelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matilde Inglese
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Hoffmann O, Gold R, Meuth SG, Linker RA, Skripuletz T, Wiendl H, Wattjes MP. Prognostic relevance of MRI in early relapsing multiple sclerosis: ready to guide treatment decision making? Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2024; 17:17562864241229325. [PMID: 38332854 PMCID: PMC10851744 DOI: 10.1177/17562864241229325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis (MS). There is conclusive evidence that brain and spinal cord MRI findings in early disease stages also provide relevant insight into individual prognosis. This includes prediction of disease activity and disease progression, the accumulation of long-term disability and the conversion to secondary progressive MS. The extent to which these MRI findings should influence treatment decisions remains a subject of ongoing discussion. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the current knowledge and scientific evidence regarding the utility of MRI at early MS disease stages for prognostic classification of individual patients. In addition, we discuss the current evidence regarding the use of MRI in order to predict treatment response. Finally, we propose a potential approach as to how MRI data may be categorized and integrated into early clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology, Alexianer St. Josefs-Krankenhaus Potsdam, Allee nach Sanssouci 7, 14471 Potsdam, Germany; Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sven G. Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ralf A. Linker
- Department of Neurology, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mike P. Wattjes
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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3
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Statsenko Y, Smetanina D, Arora T, Östlundh L, Habuza T, Simiyu GL, Meribout S, Talako T, King FC, Makhnevych I, Gelovani JG, Das KM, Gorkom KNV, Almansoori TM, Al Zahmi F, Szólics M, Ismail F, Ljubisavljevic M. Multimodal diagnostics in multiple sclerosis: predicting disability and conversion from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive disease course - protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068608. [PMID: 37451729 PMCID: PMC10351237 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068608] [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] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) has increased significantly over the last decade. The challenge is to identify the transition from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive MS. Since available methods to examine patients with MS are limited, both the diagnostics and prognostication of disease progression would benefit from the multimodal approach. The latter combines the evidence obtained from disparate radiologic modalities, neurophysiological evaluation, cognitive assessment and molecular diagnostics. In this systematic review we will analyse the advantages of multimodal studies in predicting the risk of conversion to secondary progressive MS. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will use peer-reviewed publications available in Web of Science, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase and CINAHL databases. In vivo studies reporting the predictive value of diagnostic methods will be considered. Selected publications will be processed through Covidence software for automatic deduplication and blind screening. Two reviewers will use a predefined template to extract the data from eligible studies. We will analyse the performance metrics (1) for the classification models reflecting the risk of secondary progression: sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, positive and negative predictive values; (2) for the regression models forecasting disability scores: the ratio of mean absolute error to the range of values. Then, we will create ranking charts representing performance of the algorithms for calculating disability level and MS progression. Finally, we will compare the predictive power of radiological and radiomical correlates of clinical disability and cognitive impairment in patients with MS. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study does not require ethical approval because we will analyse publicly available literature. The project results will be published in a peer-review journal and presented at scientific conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022354179.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yauhen Statsenko
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Medical Imaging Platform, ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Big Data Analytics Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Darya Smetanina
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Medical Imaging Platform, ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Teresa Arora
- Psychology Department, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Linda Östlundh
- National Medical Library, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Library, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Tetiana Habuza
- Big Data Analytics Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Department of Computer Science, College of Information Technology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Gillian Lylian Simiyu
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Medical Imaging Platform, ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Sarah Meribout
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Medical Imaging Platform, ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Internal Medicine Department, Maimonides Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tatsiana Talako
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Department of Oncohematology, Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Fransina Christina King
- Physiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Neuroscience Platform, ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Iryna Makhnevych
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Juri George Gelovani
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Wayne State University, College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Radiology Department, Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Provost Office, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Karuna M Das
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Klaus Neidl-Van Gorkom
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Taleb M Almansoori
- Radiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Fatmah Al Zahmi
- Neurology Department, Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Dubai, Dubai Emirate, UAE
- Neurology Department, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, Dubai Emirate, UAE
| | - Miklós Szólics
- Internal Medicine Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
| | - Fatima Ismail
- Pediatrics Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Milos Ljubisavljevic
- Physiology Department, United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
- Neuroscience Platform, ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
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Sabahi Z, Daei Sorkhabi A, Sarkesh A, Naseri A, Asghar-Rezaei N, Talebi M. A systematic review of the safety and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies for progressive multiple sclerosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110266. [PMID: 37209514 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) is a debilitating condition characterized by progressively worsening symptoms. Monoclonal antibodies are novel therapies for MS, but their safety and efficacy in the progressive form have not been comprehensively studied. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the available evidence regarding monoclonal antibody treatment for PMS. METHODS After registration of the study protocol in PROSPERO, we systematically searched three major databases for clinical trials involving monoclonal antibodies administration for PMS treatment. All the retrieved results were imported into the EndNote reference manager. After removing the duplicates, two independent researchers did the study selection and data extraction. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. RESULTS Of the 1846 studies in the preliminary search, 13 clinical trials investigating monoclonal antibodies (Ocrelizumab, Natalizumab, Rituximab, and Alemtuzumab) in PMS patients were included. Ocrelizumab was significantly effective in reducing clinical disease progression measures in primary PMS patients. The results for Rituximab were not completely reassuring and only showed significant changes for some endpoints on MRI and clinical measures. Natalizumab decreased the relapse rate and improved MRI features for secondary PMS patients, but not clinical endpoints. The studies on Alemtuzumab treatment revealed conflicting outcomes, with improvements observed in MRI endpoints but clinical worsening in patients. Additionally, among the studied adverse events, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and nasopharyngitis were frequently reported. CONCLUSION Based on our findings, Ocrelizumab is the most efficient monoclonal antibody for primary PMS, although it is associated with a higher risk of infection. While other monoclonal antibodies did not show significant promise in treating PMS, more research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sabahi
- Research Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Center of Excellence, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amin Daei Sorkhabi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aila Sarkesh
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amirreza Naseri
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazli Asghar-Rezaei
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Talebi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Morgan A, Tallantyre E, Ontaneda D. The benefits and risks of escalation versus early highly effective treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:433-444. [PMID: 37129299 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2208347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, demyelinating, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects over 2 million people worldwide. Considerable advances have been made in the availability of disease modifying therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis since their introduction in the 1990s. This has led to debate regarding the optimal first-line treatment approach: a strategy of escalation versus early highly effective treatment. AREAS COVERED This review defines the strategies of escalation and early highly effective treatment, outlines the pros and cons of each, and provides an analysis of both the current literature and expected future directions of the field. EXPERT OPINION There is growing support for using early highly effective treatment as the initial therapeutic approach in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, much of this support stems from observational real-world studies that use historic data and lack safety outcomes or randomized control trials that compare individual high versus low-moderate efficacy therapies, instead of the approaches themselves. Randomized control trials (DELIVER-MS, TREAT-MS) are needed to systemically and prospectively compare contemporary escalation versus early highly effective treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Morgan
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Emma Tallantyre
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Daniel Ontaneda
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Casanova B, Quintanilla-Bordás C, Gascón F. Escalation vs. Early Intense Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis. J Pers Med 2022; 12:119. [PMID: 35055434 PMCID: PMC8778390 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment strategy of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a highly controversial debate. Currently, there are up to 19 drugs approved. However, there is no clear evidence to guide fundamental decisions such as what treatment should be chosen in first place, when treatment failure or suboptimal response should be considered, or what treatment should be considered in these cases. The "escalation strategy" consists of starting treatment with drugs of low side-effect profile and low efficacy, and "escalating" to drugs of higher efficacy-with more potential side-effects-if necessary. This strategy has prevailed over the years. However, the evidence supporting this strategy is based on short-term studies, in hope that the benefits will stand in the long term. These studies usually do not consider the heterogeneity of the disease and the limited effect that relapses have on the long-term. On the other hand, "early intense therapy" strategy refers to starting treatment with drugs of higher efficacy from the beginning, despite having a less favorable side-effect profile. This approach takes advantage of the so-called "window of opportunity" in hope to maximize the clinical benefits in the long-term. At present, the debate remains open. In this review, we will critically review both strategies. We provide a summary of the current evidence for each strategy without aiming to reach a definite conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonaventura Casanova
- Unitat de Neuroimmunologia, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe. València, la Universitat de València, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Carlos Quintanilla-Bordás
- Unitat de Neuroimmunologia, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe. València, la Universitat de València, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Francisco Gascón
- Unitat de Neuroimmunologia, Hospital Clínic Universitari de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
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Ziemssen T, Bass AD, Berkovich R, Comi G, Eichau S, Hobart J, Hunter SF, LaGanke C, Limmroth V, Pelletier D, Pozzilli C, Schippling S, Sousa L, Traboulsee A, Uitdehaag BMJ, Van Wijmeersch B, Choudhry Z, Daizadeh N, Singer BA. Efficacy and Safety of Alemtuzumab Through 9 Years of Follow-up in Patients with Highly Active Disease: Post Hoc Analysis of CARE-MS I and II Patients in the TOPAZ Extension Study. CNS Drugs 2020; 34:973-988. [PMID: 32710396 PMCID: PMC7447657 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-020-00749-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alemtuzumab efficacy versus subcutaneous interferon-β-1a (SC IFNB-1a) was demonstrated over 2 years in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with continued efficacy over 7 additional years. Alemtuzumab is included as a recommended treatment for patients with highly active disease (HAD) by the American Academy of Neurology Practice Guidelines, and the label indication in Europe was recently restricted to the treatment of HAD patients. There is currently no consensus definition for HAD, and alemtuzumab efficacy across various HAD definitions has not been explored previously. OBJECTIVES In this post hoc analysis, we assess the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif® Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS) trial patients who met criteria for at least one of four separate definitions of HAD (one primary and three alternatives). Over 2 years, alemtuzumab-treated HAD patients were compared with SC IFNB-1a-treated HAD patients, with additional 7-year follow-up in patients from the alemtuzumab arm. METHODS Patients in the CARE-MS studies received either alemtuzumab (baseline: 5 days; 12 months later: 3 days) or SC IFNB-1a (3 times weekly). Alemtuzumab-treated patients who enrolled in the extensions could receive additional courses ≥ 12 months apart. Four definitions of HAD were applied to assess alemtuzumab efficacy: the pre-specified primary definition (two or more relapses in the year prior to baseline and at least one gadolinium [Gd]-enhancing lesion at baseline) and three alternative definitions that focused on relapse, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or prior treatment response criteria. Efficacy outcomes were annualized relapse rate, change in Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 6-month confirmed disability worsening, 6-month confirmed disability improvement, MRI disease activity, and brain volume change. Adverse events were summarized for HAD patients meeting the primary definition. RESULTS In the pooled CARE-MS population, 208 alemtuzumab-treated patients met the primary HAD definition. Annualized relapse rate was 0.27 in years 0-2 and 0.16 in years 3-9. Over 9 years, 62% of patients were free of 6-month confirmed disability worsening, 50% had 6-month confirmed disability improvement, and median cumulative change in brain volume was - 2.15%. During year 9, 62% had no evidence of disease activity, and 69% were free of MRI disease activity. Similar efficacy outcomes were observed using an alternative relapse-driven HAD definition. For patients meeting alternative HAD definitions focused on either higher MRI lesion counts or disease activity while on prior therapy, reduced efficacy for some endpoints was seen. Safety was consistent with the overall CARE-MS population through year 9. CONCLUSIONS Over 9 years, alemtuzumab efficacy was maintained in CARE-MS HAD patients based on four HAD definitions. These results support intervention with alemtuzumab in patients with early indicators of HAD, including frequent relapse without high MRI activity. No safety signals were observed over 9 years that were unique to the HAD populations. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIERS NCT00530348; NCT00548405; NCT00930553; NCT02255656.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Ann D Bass
- Neurology Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Regina Berkovich
- Regina Berkovich, MD, PhD, Inc., West Hollywood, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Sara Eichau
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain
| | - Jeremy Hobart
- Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK
| | | | | | - Volker Limmroth
- Klinik für Neurologie und Palliativmedizin, Cologne, Germany
| | - Daniel Pelletier
- Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlo Pozzilli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sven Schippling
- Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research, University Hospital Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Livia Sousa
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | | | - Bart Van Wijmeersch
- Rehabilitation and MS-Centre Overpelt, BIOMED, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | | | - Barry A Singer
- MS Center for Innovations in Care, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
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