10-Year Efficacy and Safety Outcomes of Ocrelizumab in Relapsing and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Ocrelizumab (OCR) is an effective treatment for both forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), making its long-term effects crucial for patients undergoing extended therapy. A recent study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of OCR in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (pwRMS) and patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (pwPPMS).

The study involved patients who were initially randomized to receive OCR or a comparator (interferon β-1a or placebo). Those in the OCR group continued treatment, while others switched to OCR in subsequent open-label extension studies. The analysis focused on disability accumulation, specifically measuring the time to confirmed disability progression over 10 years.

Results indicated that 76.6% of pwRMS on OCR were free from significant disability progression after 10 years, with 91.9% not requiring a walking aid. The risk of progression was significantly lower in patients who started OCR earlier. In pwPPMS, 36.4% and 18.6% were free from confirmed disability progression events after the same duration, with most (80.4%) not needing a wheelchair. Adverse event rates remained consistent with earlier studies, with low rates of serious infections and malignancies.

In conclusion, initiating treatment with OCR earlier significantly reduced disability progression in patients with both pwRMS and pwPPMS, and the treatment exhibited a favorable long-term safety profile.

Reference

Hauser S, Kappos L, Filippi M, et al. 10 years of ocrelizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis: long-term efficacy and safety clinical trial data. Presented at: the American Academy of Neurology 2024 Annual Meeting; October 25-27, 2024; Paradise, NV; Abstract S31.005.