Reasons for switching immunomodulatory therapy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess switching disease-modifying therapy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Materials and methods: This observational single-centre study involved a retrospective evaluation of data of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis receiving disease-modifying therapy under drug programmes reimbursed by the National Health Fund. Demographic data, the level of disability, disease activity and treatment methods were analysed with a particular emphasis on the reasons for switching the therapy. Results: Data were collected from patients with a mean age of 39.6 years, with women accounting for 68%. Therapy was switched in 32% (n = 118) of patients. In this group, 72% (n = 85) of patients modified their first-line treatment, and 28% (n = 33) required switching to a second-line drug. Treatment failure (52.5%, n = 62), followed by treatment intolerance (47.5%, n = 56) were the main reasons for switching. Patients on first line-treatment mostly required switching from interferon beta-1a, which was usually replaced with dimethyl fumarate and glatiramer acetate. The most common adverse events included skin reactions and needle fatigue, which were the most common reasons for switching treatment due to intolerance. Conclusions: The currently used immunomodulatory treatment is relatively well tolerated, and its failure is a more frequent reason for therapy switching. This indicates the need for diseasemodifying treatments that are highly effective, safe and well tolerated.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Switching first-line disease-modifying therapy after failure: impact on the course of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1145128.602265 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Dennis Bourdette ◽

Vijayshree Yadav

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

First Line ◽

Disease Modifying Therapy ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

Remitting Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

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Switching first-line disease-modifying therapy after failure: impact on the course of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458508096687 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 50-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

A Gajofatto ◽

P Bacchetti ◽

B Grimes ◽

A High ◽

E Waubant

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Initial Therapy ◽

First Line ◽

Disease Modifying Therapy ◽

Disease Modifying Therapies ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

Remitting Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Background Options for non-responders to relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are limited. We explored whether switching first-line DMT is effective. Methods Patients with RRMS who first received interferon-beta (IFNB) or glatiramer acetate (GA) were classified in three categories: DMT change because of suboptimal response, DMT change because of other reasons, and no DMT change during follow-up. Outcomes included annualized relapse rate (ARR) and relapse-free proportions. Results We identified 597 patients who initiated first-line DMT. For patients who did not change DMT ( n = 240), pre-DMT and on-DMT median ARR were 0.50 and 0 ( P < 0.0001). At 24 months, 76% (95%CI = 69–81%) of patients who did not change DMT were relapse-free. Of the 155 who switched because of suboptimal response, 101 switched to another first-line DMT. Median ARR pre-DMT, on first DMT and second DMT were: 0.50, 0.55, and 0.25 for switchers from IFNB to GA (IFNB/GA, n = 12) (pre-DMT versus first DMT: P = 0.92; first versus second DMT: P = 0.31); 0.90, 0.50, and 0 for switchers from GA to IFNB (GA/IFNB, n = 18; P = 0.19; P = 0.01); 0.50, 0.68, and 0 for switchers from an IFNB to another IFNB (IFNB/IFNB’, n = 71; P = 0.34; P = 0.02). Estimated relapse-free proportion after 24 months of treatment was 42% (95%CI=15–66%) during the period on IFNB versus 53% (95%CI = 17–80%) on GA for IFNB/GA ( P = 0.21); 12% (95%CI = 0–40%) on GA versus 87% (95%CI = 59–97%) on IFNB for GA/IFNB ( P = 0.001); and 41% (95%CI = 29–52%) on initial IFNB versus 67% (95%CI = 53–79%) on subsequent IFNB for IFNB/IFNB’ ( P = 0.0001). Conclusions Switching first-line DMT in patients with RRMS failing initial therapy may be effective in many cases.

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