Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
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.
SUBMITTER: Comi G
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7720359 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Comi Giancarlo G Alroughani Raed R Boster Aaron L AL Bass Ann D AD Berkovich Regina R Fernández Óscar Ó Kim Ho Jin HJ Limmroth Volker V Lycke Jan J Macdonell Richard Al RA Sharrack Basil B Singer Barry A BA Vermersch Patrick P Wiendl Heinz H Ziemssen Tjalf T Jacobs Alan A Daizadeh Nadia N Rodriguez Claudio E CE Traboulsee Anthony A
Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) 20191125 14
<h4>Background</h4>Alemtuzumab is given as two annual courses. Patients with continued disease activity may receive as-needed additional courses.<h4>Objective</h4>To evaluate efficacy and safety of additional alemtuzumab courses in the CARE-MS (Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif<sup>®</sup> Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis) studies and their extensions.<h4>Methods</h4>Subgroups were based on the number of additional alemtuzumab courses received. Exclusion criteria: other disease-modifying therapy ...[more]