Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alemtuzumab is given as two annual courses. Patients with continued disease activity may receive as-needed additional courses.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of additional alemtuzumab courses in the CARE-MS (Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif
METHODS: Subgroups were based on the number of additional alemtuzumab courses received. Exclusion criteria: other disease-modifying therapy (DMT); < 12-month follow-up after last alemtuzumab course.
RESULTS: In the additional-courses groups, Courses 3 and 4 reduced annualized relapse rate (12 months before: 0.73 and 0.74, respectively; 12 months after: 0.07 and 0.08). For 36 months after Courses 3 and 4, 89% and 92% of patients were free of 6-month confirmed disability worsening, respectively, with 20% and 26% achieving 6-month confirmed disability improvement. Freedom from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity increased after Courses 3 and 4 (12 months before: 43% and 53%, respectively; 12 months after: 73% and 74%). Safety was similar across groups; serious events occurred irrespective of the number of courses.
CONCLUSION: Additional alemtuzumab courses significantly improved outcomes, without increased safety risks, in CARE-MS patients with continued disease activity after Course 2. How this compares to outcomes if treatment is switched to another DMT instead remains unknown.
First Page
1866
Last Page
1876
DOI
10.1177/1352458519888610
Publication Date
12-1-2020
Recommended Citation
Comi G, Alroughani R, Boster AL, Bass AD, Berkovich R, Fernández Ó, Kim HJ, Limmroth V, Lycke J, Macdonell RA, Sharrack B, Singer BA, Vermersch P, Wiendl H, Ziemssen T, Jacobs A, Daizadeh N, Rodriguez CE, Traboulsee A; CARE-MS I, CARE-MS II, CAMMS03409, and TOPAZ Investigators. Efficacy of alemtuzumab in relapsing-remitting MS patients who received additional courses after the initial two courses: Pooled analysis of the CARE-MS, extension, and TOPAZ studies. Mult Scler. 2020 Dec;26(14):1866-1876. doi: 10.1177/1352458519888610. Epub 2019 Nov 25. PMID: 31762387; PMCID: PMC7720359.