Alemtuzumab - A New Efficacy Benchmark in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis?

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Omar A Khan ◽  

The disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been used effectively for nearly two decades. These treatments delay the neurorodegenerative process, but do not restore lost neurological function. New oral DMDs are becoming available that offer improved convenience over existing injectable DMDs. Recently, several monoclonal antibody treatments have been developed for MS; the furthest developed is alemtuzumab (Campath-1H). In a landmark phase II clinical trial (CAMMS223) on patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), short cycles of alemtuzumab given at the start, at 12 months and optionally at 24 months, demonstrated superior and sustained efficacy in terms of relapse rates and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings over the comparator compound, interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a), which was given subcutaneously and continuously. Most notably, the mean disability score for patients receiving alemtuzumab showed an unprecedented improvement, whereas for IFNβ-1a it deteriorated. Alemtuzumab in treating RRMS is the subject of two ongoing phase III trials, the results of which have the potential to change future treatments and prognoses for many patients.

US Neurology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Omar A Khan ◽  

The disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been used effectively for nearly two decades. These treatments delay the neurorodegenerative process, but do not restore lost neurological function. New oral DMDs are becoming available that offer improved convenience over existing injectable DMDs. Recently, several monoclonal antibody treatments have been developed for MS; the furthest developed is alemtuzumab (Campath-1H). In a landmark phase II clinical trial (CAMMS223) on patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), short cycles of alemtuzumab given at baseline, at 12 months, and optionally at 24 months, demonstrated superior and sustained efficacy in terms of relapse rates and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings over the comparator compound, interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a), which was given subcutaneously and continuously. Most notably, the mean disability score for patients receiving alemtuzumab showed an unprecedented improvement, whereas for IFNβ-1a it deteriorated. Alemtuzumab in treating RRMS is the subject of two ongoing phase III trials, the results of which have the potential to change future treatments and prognoses for many patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Alkhawajah ◽  
Joel Oger

For patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Scierosis Beta Interfaerons and Glatiramer Acetate were the first to be licensed for treatment. This review deals with one major question: when to initiate therapy? Through exploring the unique characteristics of the disease and treatement we suggest an approach that should be helpful in the process of decision-making.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Giovannoni ◽  
Per Soelberg Sorensen ◽  
Stuart Cook ◽  
Kottil W Rammohan ◽  
Peter Rieckmann ◽  
...  

Background: In the CLARITY (CLAdRIbine Tablets treating multiple sclerosis orallY) study, Cladribine Tablets significantly improved clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes (vs placebo) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Objective: Describe two clinically relevant definitions for patients with high disease activity (HDA) at baseline of the CLARITY study (utility verified in patients receiving placebo) and assess the treatment effects of Cladribine Tablets 3.5 mg/kg compared with the overall study population. Methods: Outcomes of patients randomised to Cladribine Tablets 3.5 mg/kg or placebo were analysed for subgroups using HDA definitions based on high relapse activity (HRA; patients with ⩾2 relapses during the year prior to study entry, whether on DMD treatment or not) or HRA plus disease activity on treatment (HRA + DAT; patients with ⩾2 relapses during the year prior to study entry, whether on DMD treatment or not, PLUS patients with ⩾1 relapse during the year prior to study entry while on therapy with other DMDs and ⩾1 T1 Gd+ or ⩾9 T2 lesions). Results: In the overall population, Cladribine Tablets 3.5 mg/kg reduced the risk of 6-month-confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) worsening by 47% vs placebo. A risk reduction of 82% vs placebo was seen in both the HRA and HRA + DAT subgroups (vs 19% for non-HRA and 18% for non-HRA + DAT), indicating greater responsiveness to Cladribine Tablets 3.5 mg/kg in patients with HDA. There were consistent results for other efficacy endpoints. The safety profile in HDA patients was consistent with the overall CLARITY population. Conclusion: Patients with HDA showed clinical and MRI responses to Cladribine Tablets 3.5 mg/kg that were generally better than, or at least comparable with, the outcomes seen in the overall CLARITY population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. A17.1-A17
Author(s):  
Andrew Galazka ◽  
Axel Nolting ◽  
Stuart Cook ◽  
Thomas Leist ◽  
Giancarlo Comi ◽  
...  

IntroductionAn independent meta-analysis; Pakpoor et al. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2015;2:e158) in Phase III trials (with a 2 year duration) of disease modifying drugs (DMDs) in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis found no increased rate of malignancy with cladribine tablets (CT) versus other DMD treatments. Data from additional trials involving CT 3.5 mg/kg (CT3.5) and a safety registry (up to 8 years’ follow-up) allow further insights into malignancy risk. Objective is to assess malignancy risk with CT3.5 monotherapy and placebo (PBO) in data from 3 Phase III trials and a registry, and compare the incidence rate with a global database.MethodsThe CT 3.5 population comprised 923 patients (3433 patient-years’ [PY] total exposure time) and the PBO group comprised 641 patients (2026 PY). Individual case reports of malignancies were reviewed by independent, blinded adjudication committee. Standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated using the GLOBOCAN reference population (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers [NMSCs]) and a Danish reference population for NMSC rates.ResultsThe incidence per 100 PY of confirmed malignancy was CT3.5 0.293 (95%CI 0.158–0.544) and PBO 0.148 (95%CI 0.048–0.460); the risk difference 95% CI included 0 (−0.166–0.414). The CT 3.5 malignancy SIR was almost identical (0.97, 95% CI 0.44–1.85) to the GLOBOCAN matched reference population. The PBO group SIR was numerically lower (0.48, 95% CI 0.14–1.53). There were no cases of haematological, lymphoproliferative or virus-induced cancers. There was no clustering of specific tumour types, and the incidence of skin cancer was not increased after treatment with CT3.5 versus PBO. The incidence of malignancies with CT3.5 was constant and did not increase over time.ConclusionAnalysis of malignancy rates in a cohort that includes patients with up to 8 years’ follow-up confirms the Conclusion of the earlier meta-analysis; the incidence of malignancies with CT3.5 is similar to a matched reference population.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Di Battista ◽  
A. Bertolotto ◽  
C. Gasperini ◽  
A. Ghezzi ◽  
D. Maimone ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to therapy in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) and to analyze the possible influence of factors such as hospital care and patients socioeconomic status. Two hundred eighty-five patients with RR-MS according to Mc Donald’s criteria and naïve disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) naïve were enrolled. Two self-administered questionnaires addressing the management of patients at therapy prescription and the personal perception of the daily life changes caused by DMDs were administered at months 3 and 12. Full adherence, considered as correct use of the therapy prescribed, was observed in a very high percentage of subjects (97.3% and 93.9% at 3 and 12 months). The main cause for reduced adherence was single dose forgetfulness, followed by anxiety, pain at the injection site, and tiredness of “doing all injections.” Nurses and neurologists of MS Center were identified as the major resource in coping with the disease at 3 and 12 months by patients. The neurologist was the health professional involved in MS management in 95% of cases and the nurse appeared to play a central role in patient training and drug administration management (50.3%).


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Rinaldi ◽  
Paola Perini ◽  
Matteo Atzori ◽  
Alice Favaretto ◽  
Dario Seppi ◽  
...  

Cortical lesions (CLs) and atrophy are pivotal in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology. This study determined the effect of disease modifying drugs (DMDs) on CL development and cortical atrophy progression in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) over 48 months. Patients (n=165) were randomized to sc IFNβ-1a 44 μg, im IFNβ-1a 30 μg, or glatiramer acetate 20 mg. The reference population comprised 50 DMD-untreated patients with RRMS. After 24 months, 43 of the untreated patients switched to DMDs. The four groups of patients were followed up for an additional 24 months. At 48 months the mean standard deviation number of new CLs was significantly lower in patients treated with sc IFNβ-1a (1.4 ± 1.0, range 0–5) compared with im IFNβ-1a (2.3 ± 1.3, range 0–6,P=0.004) and glatiramer acetate (2.2 ± 1.5, range 0–7,P=0.03). Significant reductions in CL accumulation and new white matter and gadolinium-enhancing lesions were also observed in the 43 patients who switched to DMDs after 24 months, compared with the 24 months of no treatment. Concluding, this study confirms that DMDs significantly reduce CL development and cortical atrophy progression compared with no treatment.


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