Alemtuzumab improves long-term clinical and radiological outcomes in black patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, according to data.
The new findings were seen in a small cohort of patients enrolled in phase III studies comparing alemtuzumab with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a (SC IFNB-1a), all of whom had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and were either treatment-naive at enrolment or had responded inadequately to prior therapy.
Importantly, the results in black patients were on a par with those previously reported in the overall study population, said principal investigator Dr Annette Okai, from the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center of Dallas in Texas.
Alemtuzumab-treated patients maintained a low annualised relapse rate (ARR) throughout the core and extension studies, with a cumulative ARR over years 0 to 6 of 0.19 (95 percent CI, 0.11-0.30). Fifty-two percent were relapse-free during years 3 to 6.
Over 6 years, the mean change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was +0.52 among patients receiving alemtuzumab.
Overall, 72 percent of alemtuzumab-treated patients were free of 6-month confirmed disability worsening through year 6, and 50 percent experienced 6-month confirmed disability improvement.
At year 6, 64 percent of the alemtuzumab cohort had improved or had stable EDSS scores, compared with baseline (improved, 20 percent; stable, 44 percent).
Alemtuzumab slowed brain volume loss (BVL) by 58 percent versus SC IFNB-1a at year 2. The median yearly BVL decreased over 2 years and remained low in years 3 to 6.
Over 6 years, alemtuzumab demonstrated a safety profile in the patient population that was consistent with the overall CARE-MS and extension study population, with the overall incidence of adverse events decreasing over time.
Dr Okai said that findings in this small cohort need confirmation in a larger study or real-world setting.
