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Ciron J, Bourre B, Castelnovo G, Guennoc AM, De Sèze J, Ben-Amor AF, Savarin C, Vermersch P. Holistic, Long-Term Management of People with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis with Cladribine Tablets: Expert Opinion from France. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:503-518. [PMID: 38488979 PMCID: PMC11136930 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00589-7] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cladribine tablets (CladT) has been available for therapeutic use in France since March 2021 for the management of highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). This high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy (DMT) acts as an immune reconstitution therapy. In contrast to most high-efficacy DMTs, which act via continuous immunosuppression, two short courses of oral treatment with CladT at the beginning of years 1 and 2 of treatment provide long-term control of MS disease activity in responders to treatment, without the need for any further pharmacological treatment for several years. Although the labelling for CladT does not provide guidance beyond the initial treatment courses, real-world data on the therapeutic use of CladT from registries of previous clinical trial participants and patients treated in routine practice indicate that MS disease activity is controlled for a period of years beyond this time for a substantial proportion of patients. Moreover, this clinical experience has provided useful information on how to initiate and manage treatment with CladT. In this article we, a group of expert neurologists from France, provide recommendations on the initiation of CladT in DMT-naïve patients, how to switch from existing DMTs to CladT for patients with continuing MS disease activity, how to manage patients during the first 2 years of treatment and finally, how to manage patients with or without MS disease activity in years 3, 4 and beyond after initiating treatment with CladT. We believe that optimisation of the use of CladT beyond its initial courses of treatment will maximise the benefits of this treatment, especially early in the course of MS when suppression of focal inflammation in the CNS is a clinical priority to limit MS disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Ciron
- Department of Neurology, Centre de Ressources et de Compétences Sclérose en Plaques (CRC-SEP), Toulouse University Hospital, Hôpital Pierre-Paul Riquet, Toulouse, France
- INSERM UMR1291, CNRS UMR5051, Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Giovanni Castelnovo
- Department of Neurology, Nîmes University Hospital, Hopital Caremeau, Nîmes, France
| | | | - Jérôme De Sèze
- Department of Neurology, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ali Frederic Ben-Amor
- Knowlepsy Investment, Marseille Innovation, Technopôle de Château-Gombert, Marseille, France
| | - Carine Savarin
- Merck Santé S.A.S., an Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Lyon, France
| | - Patrick Vermersch
- Univ. Lille, Inserm U1172 LilNCog, CHU Lille, FHU Precise, Lille, France.
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Schiavetti I, Signori A, Albanese A, Frau J, Cocco E, Lorefice L, di Lemme S, Fantozzi R, Centonze D, Landi D, Marfia G, Signoriello E, Lus G, Zecca C, Gobbi C, Iodice R, Malimpensa L, Cordioli C, Ferraro D, Ruscica F, Pasquali L, Repice A, Immovilli P, Ferrò MT, Bonavita S, Di Filippo M, Abbadessa G, Govone F, Sormani MP. Therapeutic choices and disease activity after 2 years of treatment with cladribine: An Italian multicenter study (CladStop). Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16250. [PMID: 38549186 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16250] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cladribine tablets, a purine analogue antimetabolite, offer a unique treatment regimen, involving short courses at the start of the first and second year, with no further treatment needed in years 3 and 4. However, comprehensive evidence regarding patient outcomes beyond the initial 24 months of cladribine treatment is limited. METHODS This retrospective, multicenter study enrolled 204 patients with multiple sclerosis who had completed the 2-year course of cladribine treatment. The primary outcomes were therapeutic choices and clinical disease activity assessed by annualized relapse rate after the 2-year treatment course. RESULTS A total of 204 patients were enrolled; most patients (75.4%) did not initiate new treatments in the 12 months postcladribine. The study found a significant reduction in annualized relapse rate at the 12-month follow-up after cladribine completion compared to the year prior to starting therapy (0.07 ± 0.25 vs. 0.82 ± 0.80, p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with relapses during cladribine treatment were more likely to start new therapies, whereas older patients were less likely. The safety profile of cladribine was favorable, with lymphopenia being the primary registered adverse event. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into therapeutic choices and disease activity following cladribine treatment. It highlights cladribine's effectiveness in reducing relapse rates and disability progression, reaffirming its favorable safety profile. Real-world data, aligned with previous reports, draw attention to ocrelizumab and natalizumab as common choices after cladribine. However, larger, prospective studies for validation and a more comprehensive understanding of cladribine's long-term impact are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Schiavetti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Angela Albanese
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Jessica Frau
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla Ospedale Binaghi Cagliari, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cocco
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla Ospedale Binaghi Cagliari, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Dipartimento Scienze Mediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lorena Lorefice
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla Ospedale Binaghi Cagliari, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sonia di Lemme
- Unit of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Roberta Fantozzi
- Unit of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- Unit of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Landi
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical and Research Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Girolama Marfia
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical and Research Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Signoriello
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla, II Clinica Neurologica, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giacomo Lus
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla, II Clinica Neurologica, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Zecca
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Gobbi
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Clinica Neurologica, DSNRO Università Federico II di Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Leonardo Malimpensa
- Mediterranean Neurological Institute Neuromed, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cordioli
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili di Brescia, Montichiari, Italy
| | - Diana Ferraro
- Department of Neurosciences, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Ruscica
- Unità operativa di Neurologia, Fondazione Istituto G.Giglio, Palermo, Italy
| | - Livia Pasquali
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Repice
- Department of Neurology 2, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Immovilli
- Neurology Unit, Emergency Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Ferrò
- Neurological Unit, Cerebrovascular Department, Neuroimmunology, Center for Multiple Sclerosis, ASST Crema, Crema, Italy
| | - Simona Bonavita
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Avanzate, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Di Filippo
- Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Abbadessa
- I Division of Neurology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Flora Govone
- Centro Sclerosi Multipla-Neurologia di Mondovì, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Sormani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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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 2024:10.1007/s40120-024-00608-7. [PMID: 38760637 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00608-7] [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: 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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Filippi M, Ferrè L, Zanetta C, Rizzi C, Pessina G, Assogna F, Rocca MA. Prospective observational study to evaluate treatment satisfaction and effectiveness in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis starting cladribine tablets (CLADREAL) in Italy. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1379712. [PMID: 38638312 PMCID: PMC11024245 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1379712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) reduce relapse frequency, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, and slow disability progression. Numerous DMTs are approved for relapsing forms of MS although real-world data on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and quality of life (QoL) are needed to inform treatment choice. Immune reconstitution therapy with cladribine tablets is a highly effective treatment for relapsing MS (RMS). We present the protocol for an observational study to prospectively assess the effectiveness of cladribine tablets on clinical and MRI parameters as well as on PROs, including treatment satisfaction, QoL, sleep quality, self-perceived health, fatigue, and physical function. Enrolled patients at study sites in Italy will be adults with RMS (including relapsing-remitting and active secondary progressive MS) who are either treatment naïve or have received at least one first-line disease modifying DMT or no more than one second-line DMT. The primary objective will be change in global treatment satisfaction measured with the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication Version 1.4 approximately 24 months after initiating cladribine tablets in patients switching from previous DMTs. Secondary objectives will include global treatment satisfaction at earlier timepoints, will comprise treatment naïve patients, and will quantify treatment effectiveness and tolerability. We will also assess relapses, disability progression, MRI activity, and other PROs at approximately 12 and 24 months. The findings will provide insight from daily clinical practice into the patient's experience to complement data from controlled trials and inform treatment choice. EU PAS Registration Number EUPAS49334 filed 17/10/2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ferrè
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Zanetta
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Rizzi
- Merck Serono S.p.A., An Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria A. Rocca
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Cortese R, Testa G, Assogna F, De Stefano N. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evidence Supporting the Efficacy of Cladribine Tablets in the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. CNS Drugs 2024; 38:267-279. [PMID: 38489020 PMCID: PMC10980660 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Numerous therapies are currently available to modify the disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a pivotal role in assessing treatment response by providing insights into disease activity and clinical progression. Integrating MRI findings with clinical and laboratory data enables a comprehensive assessment of the disease course. Among available MS treatments, cladribine is emerging as a promising option due to its role as a selective immune reconstitution therapy, with a notable impact on B cells and a lesser effect on T cells. This work emphasizes the assessment of MRI's contribution to MS treatment, particularly focusing on the influence of cladribine tablets on imaging outcomes, encompassing data from pivotal and real-world studies. The evidence highlights that cladribine, compared with placebo, not only exhibits a reduction in inflammatory imaging markers, such as T1-Gd+, T2 and combined unique active (CUA) lesions, but also mitigates the effect on brain volume loss, particularly within grey matter. Importantly, cladribine reveals early action by reducing CUA lesions within the first months of treatment, regardless of a patient's initial conditions. The selective mechanism of action, and sustained efficacy beyond year 2, combined with its early onset of action, collectively position cladribine tablets as a pivotal component in the therapeutic paradigm for MS. Overall, MRI, along with clinical measures, has played a substantial role in showcasing the effectiveness of cladribine in addressing both the inflammatory and neurodegenerative aspects of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Cortese
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Testa
- Merck Serono S.p.A. Italy, An Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Holm Hansen R, von Essen MR, Reith Mahler M, Cobanovic S, Sellebjerg F. Sustained effects on immune cell subsets and autoreactivity in multiple sclerosis patients treated with oral cladribine. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1327672. [PMID: 38433828 PMCID: PMC10904620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1327672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cladribine tablet therapy is an efficacious treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, we showed that one year after the initiation of cladribine treatment, T and B cell crosstalk was impaired, reducing potentially pathogenic effector functions along with a specific reduction of autoreactivity to RAS guanyl releasing protein 2 (RASGRP2). In the present study we conducted a longitudinal analysis of the effect of cladribine treatment in patients with RRMS, focusing on the extent to which the effects observed on T and B cell subsets and autoreactivity after one year of treatment are maintained, modulated, or amplified during the second year of treatment. Methods In this case-control exploratory study, frequencies and absolute counts of peripheral T and B cell subsets and B cell cytokine production from untreated patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and patients treated with cladribine for 52 (W52), 60 (W60), 72 (W72) and 96 (W96) weeks, were measured using flow cytometry. Autoreactivity was assessed using a FluoroSpot assay. Results We found a substantial reduction in circulating memory B cells and proinflammatory B cell responses. Furthermore, we observed reduced T cell responses to autoantigens possibly presented by B cells (RASGRP2 and a-B crystallin (CRYAB)) at W52 and W96 and a further reduction in responses to the myelin antigens myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) after 96 weeks. Conclusion We conclude that the effects of cladribine observed after year one are maintained and, for some effects, even increased two years after the initiation of a full course of treatment with cladribine tablets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Holm Hansen
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Marina Rode von Essen
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Mie Reith Mahler
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Stefan Cobanovic
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Finn Sellebjerg
- Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Järvinen E, Suomi F, Stewart JB, Guala D, Valori M, Jansson L, Nieminen J, McWilliams TG, Tienari PJ. Cultured lymphocytes' mitochondrial genome integrity is not altered by cladribine. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 214:304-313. [PMID: 37860849 PMCID: PMC10719213 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cladribine tablets are a treatment for multiple sclerosis with effects on lymphocytes, yet its mode of action has not been fully established. Here, we analyzed the effects of cladribine on mitochondrial DNA integrity in lymphocytes. We treated cultured human T-cell lines (CCRF-CEM and Jurkat) with varying concentrations of cladribine to mimic the slow cell depletion observed in treated patients. The CCRF-CEM was more susceptible to cladribine than Jurkat cells. In both cells, mitochondrial protein synthesis, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase-I mRNA mutagenesis was not affected by cladribine, while caspase-3 cleavage was detected in Jurkat cells at 100 nM concentration. Cladribine treatment at concentrations up to 10 nM in CCRF-CEM and 100 nM in Jurkat cells did not induce significant increase in mitochondrial DNA mutations. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from eight multiple sclerosis patients and four controls were cultured with or without an effective dose of cladribine (5 nM). However, we did not find any differences in mitochondrial DNA somatic mutations in lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+) between treated versus nontreated cells. The overall mutation rate was similar in patients and controls. When different lymphocyte subpopulations were compared, greater mitochondrial DNA mutation levels were detected in CD8+ (P = 0.014) and CD4+ (P = 0.038) as compared to CD19+ cells, these differences were independent of cladribine treatment. We conclude that T cells have more detectable mitochondrial DNA mutations than B cells, and cladribine has no detectable mutagenic effect on lymphocyte mitochondrial genome nor does it impair mitochondrial function in human T-cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Järvinen
- Merck OY, Espoo, Finland (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany)
| | - Fumi Suomi
- Translational Stem Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - James B Stewart
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dimitri Guala
- Merck AB, Solna, Sweden (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Miko Valori
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lilja Jansson
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Neurocenter, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Janne Nieminen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Neurocenter, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas G McWilliams
- Translational Stem Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pentti J Tienari
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Neurocenter, Helsinki, Finland
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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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10
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Carlini F, Lusi V, Rizzi C, Assogna F, Laroni A. Cladribine Tablets Mode of Action, Learning from the Pandemic: A Narrative Review. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1477-1490. [PMID: 37421556 PMCID: PMC10444742 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system, characterized by chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative processes. MS management relies on disease-modifying drugs that suppress/modulate the immune system. Cladribine tablets (CladT) have been approved by different health authorities for patients with various forms of relapsing MS. The drug has been demonstrated to deplete CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, with a higher effect described in the former, and to decrease total CD19+, CD20+, and naive B-cell counts. COVID-19 is expected to become endemic, suggesting its potential infection risk for immuno-compromised patients, including MS patients treated with disease-modifying drugs. We report here the available data on disease-modifying drug-treated-MS patients and COVID-19 infection and vaccination, with a focus on CladT. MS patients treated with CladT are not at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. While anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is recommended in all MS patients with guidelines addressing vaccination timing according to the different disease-modifying drugs, no vaccination timing restrictions seem to be necessary for cladribine, based on its mechanism of action and available evidence. Published data suggest that CladT treatment does not impact the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination, possibly due to its relative sparing effect on naïve B-cells and the rapid B-cell reconstitution following treatment. Slightly lower specific T-cell responses are likely not impacting the risk of breakthrough COVID-19. It could be stated that cladribine's transient effect on innate immune cells likely contributes to maintaining an adequate first line of defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Carlini
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Lusi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, Genoa, Italy
| | - Caterina Rizzi
- Merck Serono S.P.A., Italy an Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Piazza del Pigneto 9, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Assogna
- Merck Serono S.P.A., Italy an Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Piazza del Pigneto 9, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Laroni
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Largo Daneo 3, Genoa, Italy.
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11
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Zhang S, Ma Y, Luo X, Xiao H, Cheng R, Jiang A, Qin X. Integrated Analysis of Immune Infiltration and Hub Pyroptosis-Related Genes for Multiple Sclerosis. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:4043-4059. [PMID: 37727371 PMCID: PMC10505586 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s422189] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Studies on overall immune infiltration and pyroptosis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are limited. This study explored immune cell infiltration and pyroptosis in MS using bioinformatics and experimental validation. Methods The GSE131282 and GSE135511 microarray datasets including brain autopsy tissues from controls and MS patients were downloaded for bioinformatic analysis. The gene expression-based deconvolution method, CIBERSORT, was used to determine immune infiltration. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functional enrichments were analyzed. We then extracted pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) from the DEGs by using machine learning strategies. Their diagnostic ability for MS was evaluated in both the training set (GSE131282 dataset) and validation set (GSE135511 dataset). In addition, messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of PRGs was validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in cortical tissue from an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS. Moreover, the functional enrichment pathways of each hub PRG were estimated. Finally, co-expressed competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks of PRGs in MS were constructed. Results Among the infiltrating cells, naive CD4+ T cells (P=0.006), resting NK cells (P=0.002), activated mast cells (P=0.022), and neutrophils (P=0.002) were significantly higher in patients with MS than in controls. The DEGs of MS were screened. Analysis of enrichment pathways showed that the pathways of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and ion channels associating with pyroptosis. Four PRGs genes CASP4, PLCG1, CASP9 and NLRC4 were identified. They were validated in both the GSE135511 dataset and the EAE model by using qRT-PCR. CASP4 and NLRC4 were ultimately identified as stable hub PRGs for MS. Single-gene Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed that they mainly participated in biosynthesis, metabolism, and organism resistance. ceRNA networks containing CASP4 and NLRC4 were constructed. Conclusion MS was associated with immune infiltration. CASP4 and NLRC4 were key biomarkers of pyroptosis in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoru Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqin Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruiqi Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Anan Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Qin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China
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Hecker M, Fitzner B, Boxberger N, Putscher E, Engelmann R, Bergmann W, Müller M, Ludwig-Portugall I, Schwartz M, Meister S, Dudesek A, Winkelmann A, Koczan D, Zettl UK. Transcriptome alterations in peripheral blood B cells of patients with multiple sclerosis receiving immune reconstitution therapy. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:181. [PMID: 37533036 PMCID: PMC10394872 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02859-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease that leads to irreversible damage to the brain and spinal cord. The goal of so-called "immune reconstitution therapies" (IRTs) is to achieve long-term disease remission by eliminating a pathogenic immune repertoire through intense short-term immune cell depletion. B cells are major targets for effective immunotherapy in MS. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyze the gene expression pattern of B cells before and during IRT (i.e., before B-cell depletion and after B-cell repopulation) to better understand the therapeutic effects and to identify biomarker candidates of the clinical response to therapy. METHODS B cells were obtained from blood samples of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (n = 50), patients with primary progressive MS (n = 13) as well as healthy controls (n = 28). The patients with relapsing MS received either monthly infusions of natalizumab (n = 29) or a pulsed IRT with alemtuzumab (n = 15) or cladribine (n = 6). B-cell subpopulation frequencies were determined by flow cytometry, and transcriptome profiling was performed using Clariom D arrays. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the patient groups and controls were examined with regard to their functions and interactions. We also tested for differences in gene expression between patients with and without relapse following alemtuzumab administration. RESULTS Patients treated with alemtuzumab or cladribine showed on average a > 20% lower proportion of memory B cells as compared to before IRT. This was paralleled by profound transcriptome shifts, with > 6000 significant DEGs after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The top DEGs were found to regulate apoptosis, cell adhesion and RNA processing, and the most highly connected nodes in the network of encoded proteins were ESR2, PHB and RC3H1. Higher mRNA levels of BCL2, IL13RA1 and SLC38A11 were seen in patients with relapse despite IRT, though these differences did not pass the false discovery rate correction. CONCLUSIONS We show that B cells circulating in the blood of patients with MS undergoing IRT present a distinct gene expression signature, and we delineated the associated biological processes and gene interactions. Moreover, we identified genes whose expression may be an indicator of relapse risk, but further studies are needed to verify their potential value as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hecker
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Brit Fitzner
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nina Boxberger
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Elena Putscher
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robby Engelmann
- Clinic III (Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine), Special Hematology Laboratory, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Str. 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Wendy Bergmann
- Core Facility for Cell Sorting and Cell Analysis, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 70, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Müller
- Core Facility for Cell Sorting and Cell Analysis, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 70, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Margit Schwartz
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stefanie Meister
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ales Dudesek
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alexander Winkelmann
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dirk Koczan
- Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 70, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Uwe Klaus Zettl
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
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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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Learning multiple sclerosis immunopathogenesis from anti-CD20 therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221544120. [PMID: 36719925 PMCID: PMC9962916 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221544120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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