Efficacy of alemtuzumab in relapsing-remitting MS patients who received additional courses after the initial two courses: Pooled analysis of the CARE-MS, extension, and TOPAZ studies.
Mult Scler
; 26(14): 1866-1876, 2020 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31762387
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Alemtuzumab is given as two annual courses. Patients with continued disease activity may receive as-needed additional courses.OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate efficacy and safety of additional alemtuzumab courses in the CARE-MS (Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif® Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis) studies and their extensions.METHODS:
Subgroups were based on the number of additional alemtuzumab courses received. Exclusion criteria other disease-modifying therapy (DMT); <12-month follow-up after last alemtuzumab course.RESULTS:
In the additional-courses groups, Courses 3 and 4 reduced annualized relapse rate (12 months before 0.73 and 0.74, respectively; 12 months after 0.07 and 0.08). For 36 months after Courses 3 and 4, 89% and 92% of patients were free of 6-month confirmed disability worsening, respectively, with 20% and 26% achieving 6-month confirmed disability improvement. Freedom from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity increased after Courses 3 and 4 (12 months before 43% and 53%, respectively; 12 months after 73% and 74%). Safety was similar across groups; serious events occurred irrespective of the number of courses.CONCLUSION:
Additional alemtuzumab courses significantly improved outcomes, without increased safety risks, in CARE-MS patients with continued disease activity after Course 2. How this compares to outcomes if treatment is switched to another DMT instead remains unknown.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
/
Multiple Sclerosis
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Mult Scler
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
Year:
2020
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy