ALEMTUZUMAB IMPROVES 3-YEAR QUALITY OF LIFE IN CARE-MS II

In the 2-year, phase 3 CARE–MS II study (NCT00548405) of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with inadequate efficacy response to prior therapy, alemtuzumab demonstrated superior efficacy and quality-of-life (QoL) improvements versus subcutaneous interferon beta-1a, with manageable safety. Here, QoL outcomes are examined in alemtuzumab-treated patients at Year 3 in an ongoing extension study (NCT00930553). 393 of 435 alemtuzumab 12 mg-treated patients entered the extension study; 80 received as-needed alemtuzumab retreatment during Year 3. Mean Functional Assessment of multiple sclerosis total score (scale 0–176) improved from baseline to year 3 (119.1 vs 124.8; P<0.0001), with 5 of 6 subscales significantly improved. Mean Short-Form 36–Item survey physical and mental component summary scores (scale 1–100) rose from baseline to Year 3 (42.7 vs 44.7; P<0.0001, and 44.9 vs 46.5; P=0.042, respectively), with 6 of 8 subscales improved, and 82% and 73% of patients, respectively, having a stable or improved score at Year 3. EuroQol 5–dimensional visual analogue scale score improved from baseline to Year 3 (70.1 vs 73.0; P=0.0045). Overall sustained improvement in physical, mental, and emotional aspects of QoL were observed through 3 years in this population of alemtuzumab-treated RRMS patients, even though most patients received only 2 alemtuzumab treatment courses.