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Alemtuzumab CARE-MS I 5-year follow-up: Durable efficacy in the absence of continuous MS therapy

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Havrdova, E 
Arnold, DL 
Cohen, JA 
Hartung, HP 
Fox, EJ 

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate 5-year efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in treatment-naive patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods: Alemtuzumab-treated patients in CARE-MS I (NCT00530348) received treatment courses at Months 0 and 12; after the core study, they could enter an extension (NCT00930553) with as-needed alemtuzumab retreatment for relapse or MRI activity. Assessments included annualized relapse rate (ARR), 6-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW; ≥1-point Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score increase [≥1.5 if baseline EDSS = 0]), 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI; ≥1-point EDSS decrease [baseline score ≥2.0]), no evidence of disease activity (NEDA), brain volume loss (BVL), and adverse events (AEs).

Results: Most alemtuzumab-treated patients (95.1%) who completed CARE-MS I enrolled in the extension; 68.5% received no additional alemtuzumab treatment. ARR remained low in Years 3, 4, and 5 (0.19, 0.14, 0.15). Over Years 0–5, 79.7% were free of 6-month CDW; 33.4% achieved 6-month CDI. Most patients (61.7%, 60.2%, 62.4%) had annual NEDA in Years 3, 4, and 5. Median yearly BVL improved over Years 2–4, and remained low in Year 5 (Year 1–5: –0.59%, –0.25%, –0.19%, –0.15%, –0.20%). Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of most AEs declined in the extension relative to the core study. Thyroid disorder incidences peaked at Year 3 and subsequently declined.

Conclusions: Based on these data, alemtuzumab has the potential to provide durable efficacy through 5 years in the absence of continuous treatment.

Classification of Evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that alemtuzumab durably improves efficacy outcomes and slows BVL in RRMS patients.

Description

Keywords

multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, clinical trials randomized controlled

Journal Title

Neurology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0028-3878
1526-632X

Volume Title

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer
Sponsorship
Supported by Sanofi Genzyme and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.