- May 31, 2018
- Posted by: PharmaScroll
- Category:
Despite positive results from phase II and observational studies, Rituximab (RTX) is not currently approved for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment and can only be used off-label. As per a recent study published in PLOS one, Rituximab (RTX) is effective in MS treatment, to a similar extent to natalizumab in RRMS. The study was conducted with an aim to characterize MS patients treated with Rituximab and investigate its effectiveness and safety in a clinical practice setting.
Observational analysis of data collected from MS patients was conducted at the Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland. Relapses, EDSS worsening, MRI lesion accrual and “evidence of disease activity” (EDA) status were described by Cox regression. RTX and natalizumab treated patients were matched, in the study, by propensity scores.
Results of the study:
Out of 453 MS patients, 82 were treated with RTX, 43 (52.4%) relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and 39 (47.6%) progressive MS (median age = 48 [40–54] years, females n = 60 [73.2%], EDSS = 4.0 [2.5–6.0], median follow-up = 1.5 [1.0–2.5] years). Three relapses occurred and 59 (75.6%) patients had not EDA at follow-up end. Time to EDA was similar in RTX and natalizumab treated RRMS patients (HR = 1.64, 95%CI = 0.46–5.85, p = 0.44). Twenty-four patients presented non infusion related adverse events (infections), requiring RTX discontinuation in 6 individuals.
The study concluded that the results provide further evidence for RTX being effective in MS treatment, to a similar extent to natalizumab in RRMS. However the study underlined that the clinicians must be vigilant for the potential occurrence of infections.
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News Source: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0197415
Image Source: http://me-pedia.org/wiki/Rituximab