Study Ranks Disease-Modifying Therapies for Relapsing-Remitting MS

When it comes to effectiveness and patient compliance, ofatumumab, alemtuzumab, and natalizumab are superior among disease-modifying therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers published findings from a systematic review of 21 studies and network meta-analysis in the journal Autoimmunity Reviews.

“Disease-modifying therapies, a standard therapy of relapsing-remitting MS, has been widely recognized as an essential and key treatment in MS,” wrote a research team from China. “Up to date, there have been 15 approved and licensed disease-modifying drugs.”

The relapse risk with most disease-modifying therapies was significantly lower than with placebo, researchers reported, with the exception of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) 50 μg. Patient compliance with disease-modifying therapies was not significantly worse than with placebo.

Regarding specific disease-modifying medications, analysis suggested dimethyl fumarate and ocrelizumab were superior for improving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes; ocrelizumab and ofatumumab were associated with the largest drops in disability progression risk at 3 months; and ofatumumab, alemtuzumab, and natalizumab had the best efficacy and compliance outcomes.

“The present study demonstrated the hierarchy of disease-modifying therapies treating relapsing-remitting MS,” researchers wrote. “More studies are required to explore the long-term effect of disease-modifying therapies. Our findings could provide helpful information and contribute to clinical treatment decision-making.”

Reference:
Liu Z, Liao Q, Wen H, Zhang Y. Disease modifying therapies in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Autoimmun Rev. 2021;20(6):102826. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102826