Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody Eases Progression of Primary Progressive, Relapsing-Remitting MS

Ocrelizumab decreased disease progression both in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and patients with relapsing-remitting MS, according to study results published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

“Ocrelizumab was very effective in reducing relapses and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity,” researchers wrote. “The rate of progression was slowed down; however, the effect was more evident for patients with relapsing-remitting MS than for patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis over time.”

The retrospective observational cohort study included 42 patients, 27 of whom were women, treated with at least one cycle of ocrelizumab and followed over 26.4 ± 8.4 months. Thirty of the patients had relapsing-remitting MS and 13 had primary progressive MS.

In the first year of follow up, 69.2% of patients with relapsing-remitting MS had no evidence of disease activity. In the second year, 80% showed no evidence of disease activity, according to the study.

Radiological activity was reduced by 80% in patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 91.7% in those with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in the first year. In the second year, radiological activity was reduced completely in both groups, the study showed.

Compared with before ocrelizumab, the rate of disability progression differed significantly the first year for both patient groups. The rate of disability progression the second year, however, increased for patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

“Ocrelizumab was mostly well tolerated and some adverse effects were reported: infusion-related reactions were the most frequent adverse event, followed by infections and hematological side effects,” researchers wrote. “Discontinuations were due to infections, hematological complications, and perception of ineffectiveness.”

Reference:
Rodriguez de Antonio LA, Cuberta-Gonzalez I, Garcia-Castañon I, Oreja-Guevara C. Relapsing-remitting and primary progressive multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab: a comparative study. Mult Scler Relat Disord. Published online December 5, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.104441