Synaptic injury in the inner plexiform layer of the retina is associated with progression in multiple sclerosis.

While neurodegeneration underlies the pathological basis for permanent disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), predictive biomarkers for progression are lacking. Using an animal model of chronic MS, we find that synaptic injury precedes neuronal loss and identify thinning of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) as an early feature of inflammatory demyelination-prior to symptom onset. As neuronal domains are anatomically segregated in the retina and can be monitored longitudinally, we hypothesize that thinning of the IPL could represent a biomarker for progression in MS. Leveraging our dataset with over 800 participants enrolled for more than 12 years, we find that IPL atrophy directly precedes progression and propose that synaptic loss is predictive of functional decline. Using a blood proteome-wide analysis, we demonstrate a strong correlation between demyelination, glial activation, and synapse loss independent of neuroaxonal injury. In summary, monitoring synaptic injury is a biologically relevant approach that reflects a potential driver of progression.

Life-Threatening MOG Antibody-Associated Hemorrhagic ADEM With Elevated CSF IL-6.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is one characteristic manifestation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). A previously healthy man presented with retro-orbital headache and urinary retention 14 days after Tdap vaccination. Brain and spine MRI suggested a CNS demyelinating process. Despite treatment with IV steroids, he deteriorated, manifesting hemiparesis and later impaired consciousness, requiring intubation. A repeat brain MRI demonstrated new bilateral supratentorial lesions associated with venous sinus thrombosis, hemorrhage, and midline shift. Anti-MOG antibody was present at a high titer. CSF IL-6 protein was >2,000 times above the upper limits of normal. He improved after plasma exchange, then began monthly treatment alone with anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab, and has remained stable. This case highlights how adult-onset MOGAD, like childhood ADEM, can rapidly become life-threatening. The markedly elevated CSF IL-6 observed here supports consideration for evaluating CSF cytokines more broadly in patients with acute MOGAD.

An autoantibody signature predictive for multiple sclerosis.

Although B cells are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology, a predictive or diagnostic autoantibody remains elusive. In this study, the Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR), a cohort of over 10 million individuals, was used to generate whole-proteome autoantibody profiles of hundreds of patients with MS (PwMS) years before and subsequently after MS onset. This analysis defines a unique cluster in approximately 10% of PwMS who share an autoantibody signature against a common motif that has similarity with many human pathogens. These patients exhibit antibody reactivity years before developing MS symptoms and have higher levels of serum neurofilament light (sNfL) compared to other PwMS. Furthermore, this profile is preserved over time, providing molecular evidence for an immunologically active preclinical period years before clinical onset. This autoantibody reactivity was validated in samples from a separate incident MS cohort in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum, where it is highly specific for patients eventually diagnosed with MS. This signature is a starting point for further immunological characterization of this MS patient subset and may be clinically useful as an antigen-specific biomarker for high-risk patients with clinically or radiologically isolated neuroinflammatory syndromes.

Temporal Relationship Between Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Radiologic Disease Activity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels correlate with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, but the dynamics of this correlation are unknown. We evaluated the relationship between sNfL levels and radiologic MS disease activity through monthly assessments during the 24-week natalizumab treatment interruption period in RESTORE (NCT01071083). METHODS: In the RESTORE trial, participants with relapsing forms of MS who had received natalizumab for ≥12 months were randomized to either continue or stop natalizumab and followed with MRI and blood draws every 4 weeks to week 28 and again at week 52 The sNfL was measured, and its dynamics were correlated with the development of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions. Log-linear trend in sNfL levels were modeled longitudinally using generalized estimating equations with robust variance estimator from baseline to week 28. RESULTS: Of 175 patients enrolled in RESTORE, 166 had serum samples for analysis. Participants with Gd+ lesions were younger (37.7 vs 43.1, p = 0.001) and had lower Expanded Disability Status Scale scores at baseline (2.7 vs 3.4, p = 0.017) than participants without Gd+ lesions. sNfL levels increased in participants with Gd+ lesions (n = 65) compared with those without (n = 101, mean change from baseline to maximum sNfL value, 12.1 vs 3.2 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.003). As the number of Gd+ lesions increased, peak median sNfL change also increased by 1.4, 3.0, 4.3, and 19.6 pg/mL in the Gd+ lesion groups of 1 (n = 12), 2-3 (n = 18), 4-9 (n = 21), and ≥10 (n = 14) lesions, respectively. However, 46 of 65 (71%) participants with Gd+ lesions did not increase above the 95th percentile threshold of the group without Gd+ lesions. The initial increase of sNfL typically trailed the first observation of Gd+ lesions, and the peak increase in sNfL was a median [interquartile range] of 8 [0, 12] weeks after the first appearance of the Gd+ lesion. DISCUSSION: Although sNfL correlated with the presence of Gd+ lesions, most participants with Gd+ lesions did not have elevations in sNfL levels. These observations have implications for the use and interpretation of sNfL as a biomarker for monitoring MS disease activity in controlled trials and clinical practice.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators in multiple sclerosis treatment: A practical review.

Four sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators (fingolimod, ozanimod, ponesimod, and siponimod) are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This review summarizes efficacy and safety data on these S1P receptor modulators, with an emphasis on similarities and differences. Efficacy data from the pivotal clinical trials are generally similar for the four agents. However, because no head-to-head clinical studies were conducted, direct efficacy comparisons cannot be made. Based on the adverse event profile of S1P receptor modulators, continued and regular monitoring of patients during treatment will be instructive. Notably, the authors recommend paying attention to the cardiac monitoring guidelines for these drugs, and when indicated screening for macular edema and cutaneous malignancies before starting treatment. To obtain the best outcome, clinicians should choose the drug based on disease type, history, and concomitant medications for each patient. Real-world data should help to determine whether there are meaningful differences in efficacy or side effects between these agents.

Multiple sclerosis: time for early treatment with high-efficacy drugs.

This review addresses current changes in the approach to treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The widely practiced approach of utilizing agents with lower treatment efficacy (LETA) at onset with subsequent escalation has been challenged by new data suggesting that MS patients derive greater benefit when therapy is initiated with high-efficacy treatment agents (HETA). Several recent studies compared treatment efficacy and safety of early administration of HETA versus LETA. The results of randomized, double blind, phase III studies with LETA as a control arm and population-based larger and longer studies using propensity scoring, marginal structural modeling and weighted cumulative exposure analysis support the benefit of early treatment with HETA. Patients initiating their treatment with HETA, regardless of prognostic factors and MRI burden at baseline, showed significantly lower annualized relapse rate (ARR) and reduced disability progression in follow-up periods of up to 10-15 years. Moreover, the safety profile of recently approved HETA ameliorates concerns about off-target effects associated with a number of earlier high-efficacy drugs. Patient perception has also changed with an increasing preference for medication profiles that both improve symptoms and prevent disease progression. Accumulating data from randomized studies and the results of large population-based studies demonstrating short-term and longer-term patient benefits support the view that HETA should be more widely used. The adoption of early treatment with HETA capitalizes on a window of opportunity for anti-inflammatory drugs to maximally impact disease pathology and heralds a sea change in clinical practice toward pro-active management and away from a philosophy routed in generating clinical benefit as a consequence of treatment failure.

High-resolution DNA methylation screening of the major histocompatibility complex in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The HLA-DRB1 gene in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region in chromosome 6p21 is the strongest genetic factor identified as influencing multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. DNA methylation changes associated with MS have been consistently detected at the MHC region. However, understanding the full scope of epigenetic regulations of the MHC remains incomplete, due in part to the limited coverage of this region by standard whole genome bisulfite sequencing or array-based methods. Methods: We developed and validated an MHC capture protocol coupled with bisulfite sequencing and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the MHC methylation landscape in blood samples from 147 treatment naïve MS study participants and 129 healthy controls. Results: We identified 132 differentially methylated region (DMRs) within MHC region associated with disease status. The DMRs overlapped with established MS risk loci. Integration of the MHC methylome with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genetic data indicate that the methylation changes are significantly associated with HLA genotypes. Using DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTL) mapping and the causal inference test (CIT), we identified 643 cis-mQTL-DMRs paired associations, including 71 DMRs possibly mediating causal relationships between 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and MS risk. Results: The results describe MS-associated methylation changes in MHC region and highlight the association between HLA genotypes and methylation changes. Results from the mQTL and CIT analyses provide evidence linking MHC region variations, methylation changes, and disease risk for MS.

Neurofilament Light Chain Elevation and Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis.

Importance: Mechanisms contributing to disability accumulation in multiple sclerosis (MS) are poorly understood. Blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) level, a marker of neuroaxonal injury, correlates robustly with disease activity in people with MS (MS); however, data on the association between NfL level and disability accumulation have been conflicting. Objective: To determine whether and when NfL levels are elevated in the context of confirmed disability worsening (CDW). Design, Setting, and Participants: This study included 2 observational cohorts: results from the Expression, Proteomics, Imaging, Clinical (EPIC) study at the University of California San Francisco (since 2004) were confirmed in the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Cohort (SMSC), a multicenter study in 8 centers since 2012. Data were extracted from EPIC in April 2022 (sampling July 1, 2004, to December 20, 2016) and SMSC in December 2022 (sampling June 6, 2012, to September 2, 2021). The study included 2 observational cohorts in tertiary MS centers. All participants of both cohorts with available NfL results were included in the study, and no eligible participants were excluded or declined to participate. Exposure: Association between NfL z scores and CDW. Main Outcome Measures: CDW was defined as Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) worsening that was confirmed after 6 or more months and classified into CDW associated with clinical relapses (CDW-R) or independent of clinical relapses (CDW-NR). Visits were classified in relation to the disability worsening events into CDW(-2) for 2 visits preceding event, CDW(-1) for directly preceding event, CDW(event) for first diagnosis of EDSS increase, and the confirmation visit. Mixed linear and Cox regression models were used to evaluate NfL dynamics and to assess the association of NfL with future CDW, respectively. Results: A total of 3906 EPIC visits (609 participants; median [IQR] age, 42.0 [35.0-50.0] years; 424 female [69.6%]) and 8901 SMSC visits (1290 participants; median [IQR] age, 41.2 [32.5-49.9] years; 850 female [65.9%]) were included. In CDW-R (EPIC, 36 events; SMSC, 93 events), NfL z scores were 0.71 (95% CI, 0.35-1.07; P < .001) units higher at CDW-R(-1) in EPIC and 0.32 (95% CI, 0.14-0.49; P < .001) in SMSC compared with stable MS samples. NfL elevation could be detected preceding CDW-NR (EPIC, 191 events; SMSC, 342 events) at CDW-NR(-2) (EPIC: 0.23; 95% CI, 0.01-0.45; P = .04; SMSC: 0.28; 95% CI, 0.18-0.37; P < .001) and at CDW-NR(-1) (EPIC: 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.44; P < .001; SMSC: 0.09; 95% CI, 0-0.18; P = .06). Those findings were replicated in the subgroup with relapsing-remitting MS. Time-to-event analysis confirmed the association between NfL levels and future CDW-R within approximately 1 year and CDW-NR (in approximately 1-2 years). Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study documents the occurrence of NfL elevation in advance of clinical worsening and may hint to a potential window of ongoing dynamic central nervous system pathology that precedes the diagnosis of CDW.

Inebilizumab reduces neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder risk independent of FCGR3A polymorphism.

Inebilizumab, a humanized, glycoengineered, IgG1 monoclonal antibody that depletes CD19+ B-cells, is approved to treat aquaporin 4 (AQP4) IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Inebilizumab is afucosylated and engineered for enhanced affinity to Fc receptor III-A (FCGR3A) receptors on natural killer cells to maximize antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Previously, the F allele polymorphism at amino acid 158 of the FCGR3A gene (F158) was shown to decrease IgG-binding affinity and reduce rituximab (anti-CD20) efficacy for NMOSD attack prevention. In contrast, our current findings from inebilizumab-treated NMOSD patients indicate similar clinical outcomes between those with F158 and V158 allele genotypes.

Efficacy and safety of inebilizumab in Asian participants with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Subgroup analyses of the N-MOmentum study.

BACKGROUND: Inebilizumab, an anti-CD19 B cell-depleting antibody, reduced the risk of a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) attack, disability worsening, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion activity, and disease-related hospitalizations in participants with NMOSD in the N-MOmentum study (NCT02200770). However, the efficacy and safety outcomes of inebilizumab specific to an Asian population were not fully reported. Therefore, subgroup analyses of the N-MOmentum study were conducted post hoc to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inebilizumab in Asian participants with NMOSD. METHODS: The N-MOmentum study was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial with an open-label extension period (OLP). In the subgroup analyses, data from Asian participants from the N-MOmentum study were compared with those of non-Asian participants. Eligible participants were randomly allocated (3:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous (IV) inebilizumab or placebo on Days 1 and 15. Participants who had an NMOSD attack or completed the randomized controlled period (RCP) could enter the OLP, where they received inebilizumab for ≥2 years. All participants who entered the OLP received inebilizumab 300 mg IV every 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 230 participants received treatment (174 received inebilizumab and 56 received placebo), of whom 47 were Asian (39 received inebilizumab and 8 received placebo). Baseline characteristics were similar between the Asian and non-Asian subgroups, except for disease duration, annualized relapse rate prior to randomization in this study, and previous maintenance therapy. In the Asian subgroup, the risk of NMOSD attacks was reduced with inebilizumab versus placebo (hazard ratio, 0.202) and the attack-free rate at 28 weeks was 82.1% with inebilizumab versus 37.5% with placebo, in the 6-month RCP. NMOSD attack rates were comparable between the Asian and non-Asian subgroups. In the Asian subgroup, the rates of Expanded Disability Status Scale worsening from baseline, active MRI lesions, and disease-related hospitalizations tended to be lower in the inebilizumab group than in the placebo group; similar results were shown in the non-Asian subgroup. For long-term efficacy and safety (RCP and OLP), the annualized adjudicated NMOSD attack rate in Asian participants treated with inebilizumab was reduced (0.096) compared with that at baseline (1.04), with a mean follow-up period of inebilizumab treatment of 3.38 years, which was consistent with the results in the non-Asian subgroup. The risk of NMOSD attack decreased with prolonged duration of treatment in both the inebilizumab/inebilizumab and placebo/inebilizumab groups in the Asian and non-Asian subgroups. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar between the Asian and non-Asian subgroups. In the Asian and non-Asian subgroups, 15.2% and 35.2% of participants, respectively, had at least one serious TEAE and/or Grade ≥3 TEAE during long-term therapy. No deaths occurred in the Asian subgroup whereas three deaths occurred in the non-Asian subgroup. CONCLUSION: Inebilizumab reduced the risk of an NMOSD attack, progression of disability, MRI lesion activity, and disease-related hospitalizations in Asian participants with NMOSD. The efficacy of inebilizumab in reducing NMOSD attacks continued without any unexpected safety signals or concerns during long-term use in Asian participants.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection in ozanimod-treated participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serologic response, predictors of response, and clinical outcomes associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and infection in ozanimod-treated participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) from DAYBREAK. METHODS: DAYBREAK (ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT02576717), an open-label extension study of oral ozanimod 0.92 mg, enrolled participants aged 18-55 years with RMS who completed phase 1-3 ozanimod trials. Participants who were fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 with mRNA or non-mRNA vaccines, were unvaccinated, and/or had COVID-19-related adverse events (AEs, with or without vaccination) and postvaccination serum samples were included (n = 288). Spike receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody levels (seroconversion: ≥0.8 U/mL) and serologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (nucleocapsid IgG: ≥1 U/mL) were assessed (Roche Elecsys/Cobas e411 platform). RESULTS: In fully vaccinated participants (n = 148), spike RBD antibody seroconversion occurred in 90% (n = 98/109) of those without serologic evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure (100% [n = 80/80] seroconversion after mRNA vaccination) and in 100% (n = 39/39) of participants with serologic evidence of viral exposure. mRNA vaccination predicted higher spike RBD antibody levels, whereas absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), age, body mass index, and sex did not. COVID-19-related AEs were reported in 10% (n = 15/148) of fully vaccinated participants-all were nonserious and not severe; all participants recovered. INTERPRETATION: Most ozanimod-treated participants with RMS mounted a serologic response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection, regardless of participant characteristics or ALC levels. In this analysis, all COVID-19-related AEs post-full vaccination in participants taking ozanimod were nonserious and not severe.

Inflammatory and neurodegenerative serum protein biomarkers increase sensitivity to detect disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

Background/Objectives: Serum proteomic analysis of deeply-phenotyped samples, biological pathway modeling and network analysis were performed to elucidate the inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes of multiple sclerosis (MS) and identify sensitive biomarkers of MS disease activity (DA). Methods: Over 1100 serum proteins were evaluated in >600 samples from three MS cohorts to identify biomarkers of clinical and radiographic (gadolinium-enhancing lesions) new MS DA. Protein levels were analyzed and associated with presence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions, clinical relapse status (CRS), and annualized relapse rate (ARR) to create a custom assay panel. Results: Twenty proteins were associated with increased clinical and radiographic MS DA. Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) showed the strongest univariate correlation with radiographic and clinical DA measures. Multivariate modeling significantly outperformed univariate NfL to predict gadolinium lesion activity, CRS and ARR. Discussion: These findings provide insight regarding correlations between inflammatory and neurodegenerative biomarkers and clinical and radiographic MS DA. Funding: Octave Bioscience, Inc (Menlo Park, CA).

Integration of epigenetic and genetic profiles identifies multiple sclerosis disease-critical cell types and genes.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) successfully identified multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility variants. Despite this notable progress, understanding the biological context of these associations remains challenging, due in part to the complexity of linking GWAS results to causative genes and cell types. Here, we aimed to address this gap by integrating GWAS data with single-cell and bulk chromatin accessibility data and histone modification profiles from immune and nervous systems. MS-GWAS associations are significantly enriched in regulatory regions of microglia and peripheral immune cell subtypes, especially B cells and monocytes. Cell-specific polygenic risk scores were developed to examine the cumulative impact of the susceptibility genes on MS risk and clinical phenotypes, showing significant associations with risk and brain white matter volume. The findings reveal enrichment of GWAS signals in B cell and monocyte/microglial cell-types, consistent with the known pathology and presumed targets of effective MS therapeutics.

Phase 1 Evaluation of Elezanumab (Anti-Repulsive Guidance Molecule A Monoclonal Antibody) in Healthy and Multiple Sclerosis Participants.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to describe the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of elezanumab (ABT-555), a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against repulsive guidance molecule A (RGMa), in healthy and multiple sclerosis (MS) study participants. METHODS: The single-center, first-in-human, single ascending dose (SAD) study evaluated elezanumab (50-1,600mg intravenous [IV] and 150mg subcutaneous) in 47 healthy men and women. The multicenter multiple ascending dose (MAD; NCT02601885) study evaluated elezanumab (150mg, 600mg, and 1,800mg) in 20 adult men and women with MS, receiving either maintenance or no immunomodulatory treatment. RESULTS: No pattern of study drug-related adverse events was identified for either the SAD or MAD elezanumab regimens. Across both studies, the Tmax occurred within 4 hours of elezanumab IV infusion, and the harmonic mean of t1/2 ranged between 18.6 and 67.7 days. Following multiple dosing, elezanumab Cmax , area under the curve, and Ctrough increased dose-proportionally and resulted in dose-dependent increases in elezanumab cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations. Elezanumab CSF penetration was 0.1% to 0.4% across both studies, with CSF levels of free RGMa decreased by >40%. Changes in CSF interleukin-10 (IL-10) and free RGMa demonstrated dose/exposure-dependence. INTERPRETATION: The elezanumab pharmacokinetic profile supports monthly, or bimonthly, administration of up to 1,800mg with the option of a loading dose of 3,600mg. Elezanumab partitioning into CSF is within the range expected for mAbs. Reduced CSF levels of free RGMa demonstrate central nervous system target binding of elezanumab with an apparent maximal effect at 1,800mg IV. Exposure-associated increases in CSF IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine with neuroprotective/neurorestorative properties, support potential pathway modulation in MS participants. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:285-296.

Polygenic risk score association with multiple sclerosis susceptibility and phenotype in Europeans.

Polygenic inheritance plays a pivotal role in driving multiple sclerosis susceptibility, an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. We developed polygenic risk scores (PRS) of multiple sclerosis and assessed associations with both disease status and severity in cohorts of European descent. The largest genome-wide association dataset for multiple sclerosis to date (n = 41 505) was leveraged to generate PRS scores, serving as an informative susceptibility marker, tested in two independent datasets, UK Biobank [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.74, P = 6.41 × 10-146] and Kaiser Permanente in Northern California (KPNC, AUC = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.76-0.82, P = 1.5 × 10-53). Individuals within the top 10% of PRS were at higher than 5-fold increased risk in UK Biobank (95% CI: 4.7-6, P = 2.8 × 10-45) and 15-fold higher risk in KPNC (95% CI: 10.4-24, P = 3.7 × 10-11), relative to the median decile. The cumulative absolute risk of developing multiple sclerosis from age 20 onwards was significantly higher in genetically predisposed individuals according to PRS. Furthermore, inclusion of PRS in clinical risk models increased the risk discrimination by 13% to 26% over models based only on conventional risk factors in UK Biobank and KPNC, respectively. Stratifying disease risk by gene sets representative of curated cellular signalling cascades, nominated promising genetic candidate programmes for functional characterization. These pathways include inflammatory signalling mediation, response to viral infection, oxidative damage, RNA polymerase transcription, and epigenetic regulation of gene expression to be among significant contributors to multiple sclerosis susceptibility. This study also indicates that PRS is a useful measure for estimating susceptibility within related individuals in multicase families. We show a significant association of genetic predisposition with thalamic atrophy within 10 years of disease progression in the UCSF-EPIC cohort (P < 0.001), consistent with a partial overlap between the genetics of susceptibility and end-organ tissue injury. Mendelian randomization analysis suggested an effect of multiple sclerosis susceptibility on thalamic volume, which was further indicated to be through horizontal pleiotropy rather than a causal effect. In summary, this study indicates important, replicable associations of PRS with enhanced risk assessment and radiographic outcomes of tissue injury, potentially informing targeted screening and prevention strategies.

Effect of GBCA Use on Detection and Diagnostic Performance of the Central Vein Sign: Evaluation Using a 3-T FLAIR* Sequence in Patients With Suspected Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND. The central vein sign (CVS) is a proposed MRI biomarker of multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration on CVS evaluation remains poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of GBCA use on CVS detection and on the diagnostic performance of the CVS for MS using a 3-T FLAIR* sequence. METHODS. This study was a secondary analysis of data from the pilot study for the prospective multicenter Central Vein Sign: A Diagnostic Biomarker in Multiple Sclerosis (CAVS-MS), which recruited adults with suspected MS from April 2018 to February 2020. Participants underwent 3-T brain MRI including FLAIR and precontrast and post-contrast echo-planar imaging T2*-weighted acquisitions. Postprocessing was used to generate combined FLAIR and T2*-weighted images (hereafter, FLAIR*). MS diagnoses were established using the 2017 McDonald criteria. Thirty participants (23 women, seven men; mean age, 45 years) were randomly selected from the CAVS-MS pilot study cohort. White matter lesions (WMLs) were marked using FLAIR* images. A single observer, blinded to clinical data and GBCA use, reviewed marked WMLs on FLAIR* images for the presence of the CVS. RESULTS. Thirteen of 30 participants had MS. Across participants, on precontrast FLAIR* imaging, 218 CVS-positive and 517 CVS-negative WMLs were identified; on post-contrast FLAIR* imaging, 269 CVS-positive and 459 CVS-negative WMLs were identified. The fraction of WMLs that were CVS-positive on precontrast and postcontrast images was 48% and 58% in participants with MS and 7% and 10% in participants without MS, respectively. The median patient-level CVS-positivity rate on precontrast and postcontrast images was 43% and 67% for participants with MS and 4% and 8% for participants without MS, respectively. In a binomial model adjusting for MS diagnoses, GBCA use was associated with an increased likelihood of at least one CVS-positive WML (odds ratio, 1.6; p < .001). At a 40% CVS-positivity threshold, the sensitivity of the CVS for MS increased from 62% on precontrast images to 92% on postcontrast images (p = .046). Specificity was not significantly different between precontrast (88%) and postcontrast (82%) images (p = .32). CONCLUSION. GBCA use increased CVS detection on FLAIR* images, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the CVS for MS diagnoses. CLINICAL IMPACT. The postcontrast FLAIR* sequence should be considered for CVS evaluation in future investigational trials and clinical practice.

Bioavailable central nervous system disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis.

Disease-modifying therapies for relapsing multiple sclerosis reduce relapse rates by suppressing peripheral immune cells but have limited efficacy in progressive forms of the disease where cells in the central nervous system play a critical role. To our knowledge, alemtuzumab, fumarates (dimethyl, diroximel, and monomethyl), glatiramer acetates, interferons, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, and teriflunomide are either limited to the periphery or insufficiently studied to confirm direct central nervous system effects in participants with multiple sclerosis. In contrast, cladribine and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators (fingolimod, ozanimod, ponesimod, and siponimod) are central nervous system-penetrant and could have beneficial direct central nervous system properties.

Association between B-cell depletion and attack risk in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: An exploratory analysis from N-MOmentum, a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre phase 2/3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Inebilizumab is an anti-CD19 antibody approved for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adults with aquaporin-4 autoantibodies. The relationship between B-cell, plasma-cell (PC), and immunoglobulin depletion with longitudinal reductions in NMOSD activity after inebilizumab treatment was characterised post hoc in an exploratory analysis from the N-MOmentum study (NCT02200770). METHODS: Peripheral blood CD20+ B cells, PC gene signature, and immunoglobulin levels were assessed throughout N-MOmentum (follow-up ≥2.5 years); correlations with clinical metrics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion activity were assessed. FINDINGS: Inebilizumab induced durable B-cell and PC depletion within 1 week versus placebo. Although no association was observed between B-cell counts at time of attack and NMOSD activity, depth of B-cell depletion after the first dosing period correlated with clinical outcomes. All participants receiving inebilizumab demonstrated a robust long-term therapeutic response, and participants with ≤4 cells/µL after the first 6-month dosing interval had persistently deeper B-cell depletion, lower annualised attack rates (estimated rate [95% CI]: 0.034 [0.024-0.04] vs 0.086 [0.056-0.12]; p = 0.045), fewer new/enlarging T2 MRI lesions (0.49 [0.43-0.56] vs 1.36 [1.12-1.61]; p < 0.0001), and a trend towards decreased Expanded Disability Status Scale worsening (0.076 [0.06-0.10] vs 0.14 [0.10-0.18]; p = 0.093). Antibodies to inebilizumab, although present in a proportion of treated participants, did not alter outcomes. INTERPRETATION: This analysis suggests that compared with placebo, inebilizumab can provide specific, rapid, and durable depletion of B cells in participants with NMOSD. Although deep and persistent CD20+ B-cell depletion correlates with long-term clinical stability, early, deep B-cell depletion correlates with improved disease activity metrics in the first 2 years. FUNDING: Horizon Therapeutics (formerly from Viela Bio/MedImmune).

Ublituximab versus Teriflunomide in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The monoclonal antibody ublituximab enhances antibody-dependent cellular cytolysis and produces B-cell depletion. Ublituximab is being evaluated for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. METHODS: In two identical, phase 3, double-blind, double-dummy trials (ULTIMATE I and II), participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous ublituximab (150 mg on day 1, followed by 450 mg on day 15 and at weeks 24, 48, and 72) and oral placebo or oral teriflunomide (14 mg once daily) and intravenous placebo. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate. Secondary end points included the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by 96 weeks and worsening of disability. RESULTS: A total of 549 participants were enrolled in the ULTIMATE I trial, and 545 were enrolled in the ULTIMATE II trial; the median follow-up was 95 weeks. In the ULTIMATE I trial, the annualized relapse rate was 0.08 with ublituximab and 0.19 with teriflunomide (rate ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.62; P<0.001); in the ULTIMATE II trial, the annualized relapse rate was 0.09 and 0.18, respectively (rate ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.78; P = 0.002). The mean number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions was 0.02 in the ublituximab group and 0.49 in the teriflunomide group (rate ratio, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.06; P<0.001) in the ULTIMATE I trial and 0.01 and 0.25, respectively (rate ratio, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.06; P<0.001), in the ULTIMATE II trial. In the pooled analysis of the two trials, 5.2% of the participants in the ublituximab group and 5.9% in the teriflunomide group had worsening of disability at 12 weeks (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.50 to 1.41; P = 0.51). Infusion-related reactions occurred in 47.7% of the participants in the ublituximab group. Serious infections occurred in 5.0% in the ublituximab group and in 2.9% in the teriflunomide group. CONCLUSIONS: Among participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis, ublituximab resulted in lower annualized relapse rates and fewer brain lesions on MRI than teriflunomide over a period of 96 weeks but did not result in a significantly lower risk of worsening of disability. Ublituximab was associated with infusion-related reactions. (Funded by TG Therapeutics; ULTIMATE I and II ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT03277261 and NCT03277248.).