November 28, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Switching to Ocrevus Over Other MS Therapies Means Fewer Relapses People with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) whoĀ switch to Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) after discontinuing Gilenya (fingolimod) have fewer relapses than those who switch to Mavenclad (cladribine) orĀ Tysabri (natalizumab), according to a new study. Rates of disability worsening were similar for Ocrevus and Tysabri, but patients who switched…
November 3, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD #ECTRIMS2022 ā Ocrevus Seems to Beat Rituximab in Reducing Relapses Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), an anti-CD20 therapy developed by Genentech, seems to be superior to rituximab at lowering relapse rates among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to data from two large MS registries. Overall, the findings suggest that rituximab cannot be considered just as good as ā…
November 2, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #ECTRIMS2022 ā Analyses Weigh Stem Cell Transplant Versus DMTs Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) is superior to Gilenya (fingolimod) and Tysabri (natalizumab) at preventing relapses and reducing disability in people with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In turn, aHSCT appears to be as effective as Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in RRMS patients and also was…
October 27, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #ECTRIMS2022 ā Study Examines Ocrevus Use Before, During Pregnancy Treatment with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) before or during pregnancy does not seem to increase the risk of major pregnancy or infant complications, with 79% of the pregnancies leading to live births, according to data from more than 2,000 women with multiple sclerosisĀ (MS). The results were shared at the 38th…
October 26, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #ECTRIMS2022 ā 2-year Ocrevus Effective for Early MS Patients: Data Nearly 80% of people with early-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) show no evidence of disease activity after two years of treatment with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), according to updated data from the ENSEMBLE Phase 3b trial. More than 88% of the patients were negative for MRI activity, meaning they…
October 20, 2022 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Why Do We Turn Into MS Monsters Just Before an Ocrevus Infusion? Something is happening to me. All four limbs have become heavier than usual over the past two weeks. My arms and fingers are stiffer and less responsive, and Iāve somehow managed to effect a shuffling gait in my wheelchair. My eyes tire quickly, to the point it seems like Iām…
September 7, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Off-label DMT Use for Progressive MS May Be as Effective as On-label Off-label use of high-efficacyĀ disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) appear to be as effective as on-label, or approved, DMTs for this MS patient group, a review study from Brazil suggests. The meta-analysis, which included data from controlled clinical trials, found that…
August 12, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Anti-CD20 Therapies Help Mount T-cell Response to COVID-19 Vaccines People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are on therapies that deplete antibody-producing B-cells can mount an effective T-cell immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, a new study shows. The findings suggest that the vaccines strongly activate other parts of the immune system that are helpful in fighting the virus,…
August 5, 2022 Columns by John Connor Pesky Leukocytes Dash My Hopes of Joining a Trial of Mavenclad for MS In December 2019, I was stopped in my tracks, or rather wheels, as I was about to have my third infusion of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), the multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy (DMT) that Iād been taking every six months for the past year. My neurologist had decided just a few…
August 3, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Ocrevus Outperforms Rebif in Preventing Myelin Loss in Trial Two years of treatment with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) outperformed Rebif (interferon beta-1a) at preventing myelin loss in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new analysis of data from the OPERA II clinical trial. Ocrevus’ protection against demyelination was observed both in MS lesions,…
July 18, 2022 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Case Suggests Soliris as Potential Treatment for Progressive MS Note: This story was updated July 20, 2022, to correct the headline to reflect that Soliris might be a potential treatment for progressive MS based on data from a single case report. A female patient with undiagnosed secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) was placed on Soliris (eculizumab)…
July 15, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Rituximab Outperforms Tecfidera at Preventing Relapses in Phase 3 Trial Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with rituximab were more than five times less likely to experience a relapse compared with patients given Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), according to data fromĀ a Phase 3 clinical trial. Patients on the experimental therapy also were 32% more likely to have no evidence…
July 14, 2022 Columns by Stephen De Marzo I Had to Make Difficult Business Decisions After My PPMS Diagnosis On Feb. 28, 2021, my wife and I visited the MS clinic where I was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). After receiving this life-changing news, I was an emotional wreck. While touring the clinic, I saw a person in a wheelchair go into an exam room.
July 11, 2022 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: COVID-19, Predicting Progression, Early Treatment, Estriol Higher COVID-19 Risk Tied to 2 MS Therapies, Even With Vaccination According to this study, people being treated with Ocrevus had 3.6 times the risk of a breakthrough COVID-19 infection compared with people being treated with most other disease-modifying therapies. For those treated with Gilenya, the risk was increased…
July 7, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Higher COVID-19 Risk Tied to 2 MS Therapies, Even With Vaccination Fully vaccinated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who are treated with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) or Gilenya (fingolimod) have a significantly higher risk of COVID-19 infection than those given other immunosuppressive therapies, according to a study in Italy. Called breakthrough infections, these post-vaccination cases of SARS-CoV-2 ā the virus that causes…
June 30, 2022 Columns by Stephen De Marzo Fatigue Was One of the First ‘Tells’ of My Primary Progressive MS In poker, a tell refers to a change in an opponent’s behavior or demeanor that may offer clues about the cards they’re holding. This could be a facial movement, an unusual breathing rhythm, an unconscious shift in body position, or a strange monetary bet. Recognizing a player’s tells may help…
May 31, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Mayzent and Kesimpta Gaining Ground as MS Treatments in Canada Novartisā Mayzent (siponimod) and Kesimpta (ofatumumab) are gaining ground among multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) therapies in Canada, according to the latest Spherix Global Insightsā report. āFollowing an eventful 2021 that included the launch of two new brands ā Novartisā Kesimpta and BMS’ Zeposia ā and generic versions of Biogenās…
May 10, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD B-cell-depleting Therapies May Increase Risk of Psoriasis Reports of psoriasis ā an autoimmune skin disease that shares some biological processes with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā are disproportionally high among MS patients on therapies that deplete B-cells, according to a U.S. study based on patient adverse event data. Conversely, patients on Tysabri (natalizumab), glatiramer acetate (sold…
April 7, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #AAN2022 ā CONSONANCE Update Shows Ocrevus’ Effectiveness After 1 Year Nearly three of every four participants in the CONSONANCE clinical trial, which is evaluating Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in people with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), showed no evidence of disease progression after a year of treatment. That’s according to new data presented at the American Academy of…
March 25, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD No Increased Risk Found From Ocrevus Exposure in Pregnancy Exposure to Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) just before conception or during the first three months of pregnancy does not seem to increase the risk of adverse outcomes for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) or their babies, according to a small Australian study. All of the patients stopped taking Ocrevus upon…
February 24, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #ACTRIMS2022 ā Machine Learning Helps Predict Treatment Response in PPMS Machine learning ā using computer algorithms ā can be used to identify people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) who are more likely to respond to treatment, a new study shows. The ability to predict treatment response could allow clinical trials to be designed more efficiently, researchers said. Jean-Pierre…
February 7, 2022 News by Hawken Miller Endurance Sports Inspire Young Frenchman With RRMS Sports was a huge part of Armand Thoinetās life, and when he was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) one week before his 19th birthday, that life turned upside down. He could no longer engage in activities that mattered greatly to him, such as rugby, tennis, and skiing. āI…
January 10, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD After Tysabri, Ocrevus Seen as Better Than Gilenya at Preventing Relapse Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) may be more effective than Gilenya (fingolimod) at preventing relapse in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients who recently transitioned from Tysabri (natalizumab), according to a new study. Ocrevus is āpotentially a better exit strategy than [Gilenya] after [Tysabri] cessation, with an impressive reduction [in] risk…
December 28, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Ocrevus, Gilenya May Limit Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines: UK Study COVID-19 infection rates after widespread vaccination were significantly higher among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) or Gilenya (fingolimod) than in the general population, but not among MS patients given other immunosuppressive disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), a data study in England reports. While information on patientsā vaccination…
December 17, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study: Anti-CD20 Therapies, Gilenya Lower Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines Certain treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) ā specifically, anti-CD20 antibody therapies and Gilenya (fingolimod) ā are likely to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines for COVID-19, according to a new study. “Highlighting groups who have mounted an inadequate vaccine response has already been helpful in guiding who should receive…
December 15, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Ublituximab as Relapsing MS Therapy Under FDA Review The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review TG Therapeuticsā application seeking the approval of ublituximab as a treatment for people with relapsing forms ofĀ multiple sclerosis. An FDAās decision is expected on or before Sept. 28. The agency is not currently planning to hold an…
December 14, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Alliance Outlines Global Goals for Progressive MS Research and Care Leaders of theĀ International Progressive MS Alliance have proposed a global research strategy to find better ways to care for people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). They detailed their proposal in the paper, “Charting a global research strategy for progressive MSāAn international progressive MS…
December 8, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Report: Tecfidera, Aubagio Preferred RRMS Treatments in Canada Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) and Aubagio (teriflunomide) are the preferred disease-modifying treatments for managing relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Canada, according to a report from Spherix Global Insights. The report was part of SpherixāsĀ RealTime Dynamix: Multiple Sclerosis (Canada) service, which collects data on market trends of MS…
November 22, 2021 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Neural Sleeve, Supplements, Ocrevus, Cladribine Injection Wearable āNeural Sleeveā Counters Foot Drop, Aids Mobility in Study This is a neat concept, described by the manufacturer as a lightweight sleeve on the lower leg that predicts the movement a leg is about to make. Then it sends a signal to the muscles to help lift that…
November 16, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Ocrevus Benefited RRMS Patients Who Responded Poorly to DMTs Most relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients switching to Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) following suboptimal responses to other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) show no evidence of disease activity, according to final two-year data from the European-based CASTING Phase 3b trial. These clinical benefits, which entail no relapses or disease progression and no…