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Hecker M, Fitzner B, Koczan D, Klehmet J, Grothe M, Schwab M, Winkelmann A, Meister S, Dudesek A, Ludwig-Portugall I, Eulitz K, Zettl UK. Differential gene expression in B cells and T helper cells following high-dose glucocorticoid therapy for multiple sclerosis relapse. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116721. [PMID: 38749180 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116721] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite remarkable advances in the therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS), patients with MS may still experience relapses. High-dose short-term methylprednisolone (MP) remains the standard treatment in the acute management of MS relapses due to its potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. However, there is a lack of studies on the cell type-specific transcriptome changes that are induced by this synthetic glucocorticoid (GC). Moreover, it is not well understood why some patients do not benefit adequately from MP therapy. METHODS We collected peripheral blood from MS patients in relapse immediately before and after ∼3-5 days of therapy with MP at 4 study centers. CD19+ B cells and CD4+ T cells were then isolated for profiling the transcriptome with high-density arrays. The patients' improvement of neurological symptoms was evaluated after ∼2 weeks by the treating physicians. We finally analyzed the data to identify genes that were differentially expressed in response to the therapy and whose expression differed between clinical responders and non-responders. RESULTS After MP treatment, a total of 33 genes in B cells and 55 genes in T helper cells were significantly up- or downregulated. The gene lists overlap in 10 genes and contain genes that have already been described as GC-responsive genes in the literature on other cell types and diseases. Their differential expression points to a rapid and coordinated modulation of multiple signaling pathways that influence transcription. Genes that were previously suggested as potential prognostic biomarkers of the clinical response to MP therapy could not be confirmed in our data. However, a greater increase in the expression of genes encoding proteins with antimicrobial activity was detected in CD4+ T cells from non-responders compared to responders. CONCLUSION Our study delved into the cell type-specific effects of MP at the transcriptional level. The data suggest a therapy-induced ectopic expression of some genes (e.g., AZU1, ELANE and MPO), especially in non-responders. The biological consequences of this remain to be explored in greater depth. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying clinical recovery from relapses in patients with MS will help to optimize future treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hecker
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Brit Fitzner
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dirk Koczan
- Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Juliane Klehmet
- Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Grothe
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Winkelmann
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stefanie Meister
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ales Dudesek
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | | | | | - Uwe Klaus Zettl
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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Riley N, Drudge C, Nelson M, Haltner A, Barnett M, Broadley S, Butzkueven H, McCombe P, Van der Walt A, Wong EOY, Merschhemke M, Adlard N, Walker R, Samjoo IA. Comparative efficacy of ofatumumab versus oral therapies for relapsing multiple sclerosis patients using propensity score analyses and simulated treatment comparisons. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2024; 17:17562864241239453. [PMID: 38525490 PMCID: PMC10960976 DOI: 10.1177/17562864241239453] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence from network meta-analyses (NMAs) and real-world propensity score (PS) analyses suggest monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) offer a therapeutic advantage over currently available oral therapies and, therefore, warrant consideration as a distinct group of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). This is counter to the current perception of these therapies by some stakeholders, including payers. Objectives A multifaceted indirect treatment comparison (ITC) approach was undertaken to clarify the relative efficacy of mAbs and oral therapies. Design Two ITC methods that use individual patient data (IPD) to adjust for between-trial differences, PS analyses and simulated treatment comparisons (STCs), were used to compare the mAb ofatumumab versus the oral therapies cladribine, fingolimod, and ozanimod. Data sources and methods As IPD were available for trials of ofatumumab and fingolimod, PS analyses were conducted. Given summary-level data were available for cladribine, fingolimod, and ozanimod trials, STCs were conducted between ofatumumab and each of these oral therapies. Three efficacy outcomes were compared: annualized relapse rate (ARR), 3-month confirmed disability progression (3mCDP), and 6-month CDP (6mCDP). Results The PS analyses demonstrated ofatumumab was statistically superior to fingolimod for ARR and time to 3mCDP but not time to 6mCDP. In STCs, ofatumumab was statistically superior in reducing ARR and decreasing the proportion of patients with 3mCDP compared with cladribine, fingolimod, and ozanimod and in decreasing the proportion with 6mCP compared with fingolimod and ozanimod. These findings were largely consistent with recently published NMAs that identified mAb therapies as the most efficacious DMTs for RMS. Conclusion Complementary ITC methods showed ofatumumab was superior to cladribine, fingolimod, and ozanimod in lowering relapse rates and delaying disability progression among patients with RMS. Our study supports the therapeutic superiority of mAbs over currently available oral DMTs for RMS and the delineation of mAbs as high-efficacy therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Riley
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Morag Nelson
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Michael Barnett
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Broadley
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Helmut Butzkueven
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Pamela McCombe
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Anneke Van der Walt
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Rob Walker
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Imtiaz A. Samjoo
- EVERSANA, Value and Evidence, 113-3228 South Service Road, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7N 3H8
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Sai Santhosha Mrudula A, Avula NL, Ahmed SK, Salian RB, Alla D, Jagannath P, Polasu SS, Rudra P, Issaka Y, Khetan MS, Gupta T. Immunological outcomes of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:421-432. [PMID: 38222726 PMCID: PMC10783339 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001490] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an extensive procedure that allows for the depletion of the immune system and its restoration from hemopoietic stem cells. The approach has been modified for the treatment of severe immune-mediated illnesses, including multiple sclerosis (MS), after being initially devised for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Objective This systematic review aims to determine and consolidate the information on the short-term and long-term immunological effects of AHSCT on the cellular level in MS patients. Methods The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science servers were used to conduct a systematic search in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines. The results were tabulated and analyzed. Results A total of 17 studies (10 clinical trials, 6 cohort studies, and 1 case-control study) were included in the final analysis, and 383 MS patients were analyzed. A significant decline in the cell count of CD4 T cells was reported when compared to the CD8 T cells, B cells, and NK cells. B cell count returned to baseline in 71.4% of the studies at the end of 6 months. The NK cell count was found to be above the baseline in 62.5% of studies. Conclusion AHSCT has been proven to be one of the most effective treatment modalities for MS in recent studies. However, debilitating complications due to immunological outcomes of the procedure have led to increased morbidity. Further research into this domain will help boost the success rate and efficacy of AHSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Trisha Gupta
- Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
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Corsten CEA, Huygens SA, Versteegh MM, Wokke BHA, Smets I, Smolders J. Benefits of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators in relapsing MS estimated with a treatment sequence model. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 80:105100. [PMID: 37944195 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105100] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Three sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulators are currently available as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing MS in the Netherlands (i.e. fingolimod, ozanimod and ponesimod). We aimed to identify which S1PR modulator yields the highest benefit from a health-economic and societal perspective during a patient's lifespan. METHODS Incorporating Dutch DMT list prices, we used the ErasmusMC/iMTA MS model to compare DMT sequences, including S1PR modulators and eight other DMT classes, for treatment-naïve patients with relapsing MS in terms of health outcomes (number of lifetime relapses, time to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6, lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)) and cost-effectiveness (net health benefit (NHB)). We estimated the influence of list price and EDSS progression on cost-effectiveness outcomes. RESULTS In deterministic and probabilistic analysis, DMT sequences with ponesimod have lower lifetime costs and higher QALYs resulting in a higher average NHB compared to sequences with other S1PR modulators. Ponesimod remains the most cost-effective S1PR modulator when EDSS progression is class-averaged. Given the variable effects on disability progression, list price reductions could make fingolimod but not ozanimod more cost-effective than ponesimod. CONCLUSION Our model favours ponesimod among the S1PR modulators for the treatment of relapsing MS. This implies that prioritizing ponesimod over other S1PR modulators translates into a more efficacious spending of national healthcare budget without reducing benefit for people with MS. Prioritizing cost-effective choices when counselling patients contributes to affordable and accessible MS care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cato E A Corsten
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Beatrijs H A Wokke
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ide Smets
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Joost Smolders
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Zettl UK, Rommer PS, Aktas O, Wagner T, Richter J, Oschmann P, Cepek L, Elias-Hamp B, Gehring K, Chan A, Hecker M. Interferon beta-1a sc at 25 years: a mainstay in the treatment of multiple sclerosis over the period of one generation. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2023; 19:1343-1359. [PMID: 37694381 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2248391] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interferon beta (IFN beta) preparations are an established group of drugs used for immunomodulation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Subcutaneously (sc) applied interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a sc) has been in continuous clinical use for 25 years as a disease-modifying treatment. AREAS COVERED Based on data published since 2018, we discuss recent insights from analyses of the pivotal trial PRISMS and its long-term extension as well as from newer randomized studies with IFN beta-1a sc as the reference treatment, the use of IFN beta-1a sc across the patient life span and as a bridging therapy, recent data regarding the mechanisms of action, and potential benefits of IFN beta-1a sc regarding vaccine responses. EXPERT OPINION IFN beta-1a sc paved the way to effective immunomodulatory treatment of MS, enabled meaningful insights into the disease process, and remains a valid therapeutic option in selected vulnerable MS patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Klaus Zettl
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Paulus Stefan Rommer
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Orhan Aktas
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Chan
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Hecker
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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