Background

B cell depleting therapies are highly effective treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). B cells are more numerous in active than inactive lesions, and their intrathecal clonal expansion and oligoclonal band production are hallmarks of MS. B cells also present antigens to T cells and secrete inflammatory cytokines. The antigenic specificity of individual B cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from patients with early MS may help further clarify the role of B cells in MS biology.

Objectives

To determine the viral and autoantigen repertoire of CSF-derived, class-switched B cells from untreated, early MS patients.

Methods

We performed single cell immunoglobulin sequencing on CSF plasma cells, plasmablasts, and class switched memory B cells from 9 untreated patients: five with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and four with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). The interval between the first attack and lumbar puncture ranged from 1 - 222 days (median 67 days). Brain and spinal cord MRIs performed concurrently with lumbar punctures revealed 5/9 patients with gadolinium enhancing lesions.

Using paired heavy and light chain immunoglobulin sequences, we generated 75 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and screened them on a suite of unbiased antigen discovery platforms: 1) mouse brain tissue staining, 2) whole human proteome programmable phage display, 3) pan-viral programmable phage display, 4) mouse and human brain immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry.

Results

The mAbs showed diverse antigen specificities. Candidate antigens were primarily ubiquitously expressed, intracellular proteins; however, a minority were macromolecules associated with the plasma membrane and/or enriched in brain tissue. Shared antigenic targets were occasionally identified within subjects but were rarely identified across subjects, with the latter including cytoskeletal proteins. For two mAbs, high-confidence antigens with prima facie relevance to MS were identified: 1) a white matter-restricted lipid species, and 2) an Epstein-Barr virus-interacting host protein.

Conclusions

Using our panel of 75 mAbs derived from plasma cells, plasmablasts, and class-switched memory B cells found in the CSF of early, untreated RRMS/CIS patients, we identified a diverse repertoire of antigenic targets, with a majority comprised of intracellular host proteins.

Background

The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) uncovered the contribution of inherited variants to multiple sclerosis (MS) in 115,801 individuals. Polygenic risk profiling intends to summarize and represent the genetic architecture of complex disorders and identify groups of individuals who can benefit from the knowledge of their increased susceptibility. In this context, it is important to explore the relationships between polygenic risk scores (PRS) in MS with disease status and severity in population-level and familial cohorts, in order to leverage potential clinical utilities.

Objectives

To develop and assess quantifiable measures of MS susceptibility and examine their association with phenotypic variability.

Methods

We employed both the Bayesian LDPred algorithm and Pruning and Thresholding to develop multiple MS-PRS from a multi-cohort GWAS comprising 41,505 participants. Models were validated in the UK Biobank phase 1 dataset and tested in both the UK Biobank phase 2 and the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) MS datasets. PRS of families was tested in a cohort of 34 families with one affected parent and at least one affected child. Clinical phenotype data was used in the UCSF EPIC cohort including 742 MS patients. Standard quality control of the base (IMSGC) and target datasets was performed prior to final analyses.

Results

We observed a statistically significant difference between PRS distributions of cases and controls in both the UK Biobank and KPNC cohorts (P < 1e-70), and identified individuals at greater risk versus the rest of the population (OR > 3). We confirmed that an increased PRS in siblings of disease discordant parents is associated with a higher risk of MS and showed an enhanced power for disease prediction among siblings in a small cohort of 152 individuals. These results suggest that PRS metric shows promise for prediction of MS within sibships, but needs to be further tested in larger familial cohorts. The predictive prognostic value of PRS for selected MRI metrics and disability scores suggests that PRS modestly explain phenotypic variations.

Conclusions

Polygenic risk scores are currently the best estimate of the complex genetic architecture of MS and, when clinically implemented, could facilitate recognition and management of MS in early stages of the disease. These results provide a direction for translation of MS-GWAS studies into relevant biology and clinically meaningful outcomes.

Background

In the ASCLEPIOS I/II trials, ofatumumab significantly lowered serum neurofilament light (sNfL) levels, a marker of disease activity and treatment response, in the first assessment at month 3 and at all subsequent visits versus teriflunomide.

Objectives

To investigate the prognostic value of baseline sNfL for on-study disease activity and worsening in patients with relapsing MS, particularly in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients.

Methods

Patients (pooled N=1882) were randomized to ofatumumab or teriflunomide, receiving treatment for up to 30 months. Patients were stratified by median baseline sNfL levels. We assessed annual on-study T2 lesion formation and brain volume loss (BVL, Jacobian integration) by sNfL category in all patients and in the subgroup of newly diagnosed within 3 year of screening without prior disease-modifying treatment (representing natural course of sNfL and disease at baseline) at month 24 or end of study. The annualized rate of new or enlarging T2 (neT2) lesions in year-2 versus year-1 was assessed in all patients by sNfL category (negative binomial model with time [in year] as offset).

Results

Patients with high sNfL (>median) levels at baseline developed more neT2 lesions per year on study than patients with low (≤median) sNfL levels (adjusted mean rate: ofatumumab: 0.95 vs 0.39, relative increase 143%, p<0.001; teriflunomide 5.28 vs 3.02, relative increase 74.5%, p<0.001). The prognostic value of baseline sNfL persists for year-2 (high vs low, ofatumumab: 0.09 vs 0.06, 64.5%, p=0.124; teriflunomide 4.53 vs 3.12, 45.6%, p=0.003. A single sNfL assessment at baseline had no prognostic value for on-study relapses and disability worsening. Patients with high baseline sNfL had higher annualized rate of BVL than patients with low sNfL (ofatumumab: 0.32% vs 0.23%, relative difference 37.3%, p=0.045; teriflunomide: 0.43% vs 0.29%, relative difference 49.4%, p<0.001). The results were consistent in the subgroup of newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients. The relative treatment effect of ofatumumab versus teriflunomide was similar across all measures in both the high and low sNfL groups.

Conclusions

Baseline sNfL levels were prognostic for on-study lesion formation and BVL for at least 2 years, in all patients and in the subgroup of newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients. sNfL levels can supplement clinical assessments and help identify patients at high risk for future disease activity.

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex and heterogeneous disease. Investigating the biological pathways and cell types involved in MS pathophysiology as represented by protein biomarker expression can help inform the development of tools to monitor disease activity, disease progression, identify early evidence of relapse, and monitor treatment response.

Objectives

To develop a blood based multiplex proteomic assay that associates with clinical and radiographic endpoints in patients with MS. These endpoints include the presence of gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions, Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) and clinically defined relapse status (active versus stable).

Methods

Serum samples (n=690 in total) from multiple deeply-phenotyped cohorts (ACP, CLIMB and EPIC) were tested in immunoassays for the measurement of 1196 proteins using Proximity Extension Assays (PEA) from Olink^TM and for 215 proteins using xMAP^TM immunoassays from Myriad RBM, Inc. (RBM). Associated radiographic and clinical endpoints at the time of the blood draw were correlated with the protein levels. Twenty-one proteins were selected for inclusion in a custom assay based on their performance in univariate and multivariate statistical models, and replication across independent cohorts. Biological pathway modeling and network analysis were performed to ensure comprehensive representation of MS neurophysiology. Area under the curve (AUC) was selected as the key metric for model performance evaluation.

Results

Multivariate statistical ensembles restricted to the expression levels of the biomarkers selected for the custom assay achieved AUC performance of 0.827 for classification of the presence of Gd+ lesions, 0.802 for classification of clinically defined relapse status, and 0.930 for the classification of patients with Low ARR (≤0.2 relapses) vs High ARR (≥1.0 relapses). A multivariate model utilizing shifts in biomarker expression in longitudinally paired samples achieved the highest observed performance of 0.950 for classification of Gd+ lesion presence. In each case, the multivariate models significantly outperformed (p-value <0.05) the AUC of the highest performing univariate biomarker.

Conclusions

Multivariate models restricted to the 21 selected proteins effectively classified several radiographic and clinical endpoints with stronger performance than any single biomarker. A 21-plex custom assay panel is being developed for further investigation and validation using additional cohorts.

Background

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker of neuroaxonal injury in multiple sclerosis (MS). Thalamic atrophy occurs early and may be a sensitive marker of overall brain damage. Ocrelizumab (OCR) reduced brain atrophy and NfL in patients with relapsing MS (RMS) and those with primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Objectives

To examine the independent impact of OCR and baseline (BL) NfL on thalamic volume (TV) and clinical progression in patients with PPMS and RMS, including those with RMS without acute BL activity (i.e. no gadolinium–enhancing [Gd+] lesions or relapse in the last 3 months).

Methods

Patients were from OPERA I/II (RMS, n=1,421) and ORATORIO (PPMS, n=596). Thalamic atrophy was calculated as annualized percentage TV change (PTVC) from Wk 24 to the end of controlled treatment (ORATORIO, Wk 120; OPERA I/II, Wk 96). OCR treatment (vs IFNβ-1a [RMS] or placebo [PPMS]) and log-transformed BL NfL were examined for associations with PTVC (linear regression) and 24-week confirmed disability progression (Cox regression) adjusting for BL demographic and disease characteristics.

Results

In patients with PPMS and RMS, OCR treatment (PTVC: +0.47% and +0.33%, respectively) and lower BL NfL (+0.20% and +0.33% per 2-fold lower NfL) independently associated with a smaller TV reduction (all p<0.005). Adjusting for BL NfL level, Gd+ lesion count, T2 lesion volume and BL disability, OCR still reduced disability progression on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (PPMS, hazard ratio [HR]=0.73; RMS, HR=0.65; both p<0.05]), 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) (PPMS, HR=0.53, p=0.002; RMS, HR=0.52, p=0.059), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW) (PPMS, HR=0.79, p=0.063), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (RMS, HR=0.54, p=0.002) and time to EDSS 6 (RMS, HR=0.42, p=0.009). In patients with PPMS, higher BL NfL was associated with worsening on 9HPT (HR=1.34 per 2-fold higher NfL), T25FW (HR=1.19) and time to EDSS 7 (HR=1.78) (all p<0.05). In patients with RMS without acute BL activity, higher BL NfL was associated with EDSS worsening (HR=1.49), progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) (HR=1.61), 9HPT (HR=2.1) and time to EDSS 6 (HR=2.24) (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

Ocrelizumab treatment remained associated with reduced thalamic atrophy and clinical progression after adjusting for baseline NfL and other factors. Higher BL NfL was associated with increased rates of thalamic atrophy and clinical progression in patients with PPMS and those with RMS without acute disease activity.

Background

Blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker of neuroaxonal injury associated with acute disease activity and may be prognostic for disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Ocrelizumab (OCR) is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody indicated for relapsing MS (RMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Objectives

To assess the impact of OCR on blood NfL distribution in patients with RMS from the OPERA I and II trials and those with PPMS from ORATORIO.

Methods

Pretreatment and posttreatment NfL levels (measured using the SiMOA assay) with OCR vs interferon β-1a (OPERA I and II; n=1,421) or placebo (ORATORIO; n=596) were compared using geometric mean (GM) and GM ratios (GMR). Patients were stratified by presence/absence of acute disease activity at baseline (BL) (T1 gadolinium [Gd]-enhancing lesions and/or relapse in prior 3 months for RMS; T1 Gd-enhancing lesions for PPMS). Age-adjusted NfL distributions (using a linear model for log-NfL and age derived from a healthy donor [HD] cohort) at BL and after OCR were compared with HD using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

Results

Significant reductions in NfL were observed 3 months after OCR initiation (RMS, GMR=0.80; PPMS, GMR=0.89) and sustained through the end of controlled treatment (RMS [96 weeks], GMR=0.56; PPMS [120 weeks], GMR=0.81; all p<0.0001). Age-adjusted BL serum NfL was elevated in patients with RMS disease activity (GM [95% CI]=12.7 [11.9–13.6] pg/mL) vs those without (5.5 [5.3–5.7] pg/mL) and HD (4.1 [3.9–4.4] pg/mL; all p<0.0001). In OCR-treated patients with RMS, GM [95% CI] serum NfL levels after 96 weeks (with activity at BL, 4.4 [4.2–4.6] pg/mL; without activity at BL, 4.1 [4.0–4.3] pg/mL) were comparable to HD (4.1 [3.9–4.4] pg/mL; all p>0.1). Age-adjusted BL plasma NfL was also elevated in PPMS patients with disease activity (GM [95% CI]=8.7 [7.5–10.1] pg/mL) vs those without (4.9 [4.6–5.2] pg/mL) and HD (3.1 [2.9–3.3] pg/mL; all p<0.0001). In OCR-treated patients with PPMS, GM [95% CI] plasma NfL levels after 120 weeks (with activity at BL, 4.6 [4.1–5.1] pg/mL; without activity at BL, 4.2 [4.0–4.4] pg/mL) were reduced from BL (all p<0.005) but remained elevated vs HD (all p<0.001).

Conclusions

NfL is highly elevated in patients with acute MS disease activity, and more subtle elevations are observed in RMS and PPMS patients without detectable disease activity. Ocrelizumab significantly reduces NfL in RMS and PPMS patients with and without detectable disease activity.

Background

Ofatumumab, a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with a monthly 20 mg s.c. dosing regimen, demonstrated superior efficacy vs teriflunomide and a favorable safety profile in the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) trials.

Objectives

To evaluate the benefit-risk profile of ofatumumab treatment in patients with early RMS in the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II trials.

Methods

Key efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed in the subgroup of 615 newly diagnosed (within 3 years before screening), treatment-naïve (no prior disease-modifying therapy [DMT] use) patients who received ofatumumab or teriflunomide as a first-line therapy in ASCLEPIOS I/II trials (32.7% of the total 1882 patients).

Results

Baseline characteristics of the newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve subgroup were typical of early MS patients (median age and MS duration since diagnosis (years) were 36 and 0.35, respectively). Compared to patients on teriflunomide, ofatumumab reduced ARR by 50.3% (0.09 vs 0.18; p<0.001), 3mCDW risk by 38% (10.1% vs 12.8%; p=0.065), 6mCDW risk by 46% (5.9% vs 10.4%; p=0.044), gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions/scan by 95.4% (0.02 vs 0.39: p<0.001), and new/enlarging T2 lesions/year by 82.0% (0.86 vs 4.78, p<0.001). Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 84.7% ofatumumab vs 86.0% teriflunomide-treated patients; serious AEs were reported in 7.0% and 5.3%, respectively. No cases of malignancies were reported in this newly diagnosed subgroup, randomized to either drug. Infection rates were comparable between ofatumumab (56.1%) and teriflunomide (56.5%); serious infections rates were 1.9% and 0.7%, respectively, and no opportunistic infections were reported. Systemic injection reactions were only imbalanced between ofatumumab and teriflunomide (with placebo injections) at the first injection given at the study site, and 99.8% of injection reactions were mild-to-moderate in this subgroup; after the 4^th injection, >70% RMS patients self-injected at home. Compliance of all patients with ofatumumab was high (98.8%).

Conclusions

Ofatumumab is the first high efficacy DMT that can be self-administered at home, as demonstrated in Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II trials. Ofatumumab showed superior efficacy vs teriflunomide in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with low absolute relapse rates, very low MRI lesion activity and prolonged time to disability worsening, consistent with the overall study population.

Background

Preventing multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression is critical in preserving function and quality of life. Fenebrutinib is a potent, highly selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor with a dual mechanism of action. Fenebrutinib targets acute and chronic aspects of MS by decreasing B-cell activation and limiting myeloid proinflammatory responses. This profile and studies of fenebrutinib in patients with other inflammatory diseases suggest a potentially favorable benefit-risk ratio, although there are no studies yet in patients with MS.

Objectives

To describe the unique design aspects of the Phase III fenebrutinib clinical trial program as they relate to understanding disease progression across the MS spectrum.

Methods

We developed a Phase III program that will assess disease progression in two identical clinical trials in relapsing MS (RMS) and one trial in primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Results

To understand the effects of fenebrutinib on disease progression, all three trials include 12-week composite Confirmed Disability Progression (cCDP12) as a primary endpoint; the RMS trials also include annualized relapse rate as a co-primary endpoint. The cCDP12 requires at least one of the following: (1) an increase in Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) score of ≥1.0 point from a baseline (BL) score of ≤5.5 points, or a ≥0.5 point increase from a BL score of >5.5 points; (2) a 20% increase from BL in time to complete the 9-Hole Peg Test; (3) a 20% increase from BL in the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test. The cCDP12 is a more sensitive assessment of disability than the EDSS, especially at early disease stages, as it provides a quantitative assessment of upper limb function. Comparator arms will include active disease-modifying treatments with known effects on disability progression (PPMS=ocrelizumab; RMS=teriflunomide). Treatment assignments will be 1:1, with estimated enrollment of 734 patients in each of the RMS trials and 946 in the PPMS trial. Study durations will be event driven, with the primary analysis occurring after a prespecified number of cCDP12 events (≥96 or ≥120 weeks in the RMS and PPMS trials, respectively).

Conclusions

Fenebrutinib will be investigated in RMS and PPMS and may offer a unique approach to slowing disease progression in MS. Furthermore, the use of the cCDP12 as a primary endpoint may provide a clearer, more complete picture of disability progression or improvement than the EDSS alone.

Background

The efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab (OCR) in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) were demonstrated in the 96-week controlled double-blind period (DBP) of the Phase III OPERA I (NCT01247324) and OPERA II (NCT01412333) trials.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of switching from interferon (IFN) β-1a or maintaining OCR therapy on disease activity and confirmed disability progression (CDP) after 4.5 years of follow-up, in the open-label extension (OLE) of OPERA I and OPERA II.

Methods

In the DBP of OPERA I and OPERA II, patients were randomized to receive OCR or IFN β-1a. Patients completing the DBP either continued OCR (OCR-OCR) or switched from IFN β-1a to OCR (IFN-OCR) when entering the OLE period. Adjusted annualized relapse rate (ARR), time to onset of 48-week CDP (CDP48) and time to 48-week confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≥6.0 (time to require a walking aid) were analyzed up to Week 336.

Results

Overall, 79.2% of patients who entered the OLE period completed OLE Year 4.5. Adjusted ARR decreased year-on-year from the pre-switch year to OLE Year 4.5 in IFN-OCR switchers (pre-switch, 0.20; OLE Year 4.5, 0.06) and was maintained at low levels in OCR-OCR continuers (pre-switch, 0.12; OLE Year 4.5, 0.04). The rates of CDP48 were lower in OCR-OCR continuers vs IFN-OCR switchers at the end of the DBP (4.1% vs 8.5%; p<0.001) and at OLE Year 4.5 (16.0% vs 20.3%; p=0.05). The rates of patients requiring a walking aid were lower in OCR-OCR continuers vs IFN-OCR switchers at the end of the DBP (0.8% vs 3.1%; p=0.001) and at OLE Year 4.5 (5.1% vs 8.3%; p=0.024). Over the DBP and OLE periods, the risk of CDP48 was 28% lower (HR [95%CI]: 0.72 [0.56–0.93]; p=0.01) and the risk of requiring a walking aid was 46% lower (HR [95%CI]: 0.54 [0.35–0.83];p=0.004) in OCR-OCR continuers vs IFN-OCR switchers. The safety profile in the OLE was generally consistent with the DBP.

Conclusions

Switching from IFN β-1a to ocrelizumab at the start of the OLE period was associated with a rapid and robust reduction in ARR that was maintained through the 4.5-year follow-up of the OLE period. Compared with patients switching to ocrelizumab at the OLE, patients initiating ocrelizumab 2 years earlier accrued significant benefits on CDP48 and time to require a walking aid that were maintained vs the switch group through the 4.5 years of the OLE period.

Background

Ocrelizumab (OCR) is approved for the treatment of relapsing (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) at a dose of 600 mg iv twice yearly and showed significant benefit on disability progression (DP). Exposure-response (ER) analyses of the pivotal OCR Phase III studies in patients with RMS or PPMS showed that those with higher exposures (based on individual mean serum concentration [Cmean] exposure quartiles) had a greater benefit on DP vs patients with lower exposure, without an increase in adverse events. While doses of OCR of 1000–2000 mg were studied in a Phase II study, doses >600 mg have not been investigated in Phase III studies in RMS or PPMS patients.

Objectives

To present the OCR higher dose selection rationale and design of two double-blind, parallel-group, randomized Phase IIIb studies (one in RMS and one in PPMS) aiming to explore if a higher dose of OCR will provide even higher benefits vs 600 mg on DP without adversely affecting the established favorable benefit-risk profile.

Methods

The higher dose of OCR in both studies is based on achieving a Cmean of at least that observed in the highest exposure quartile of the Phase III ER analyses while limiting Cmean below that observed with the highest OCR dose of 2000 mg in the Phase II study that had a similar safety profile, except for a slightly higher incidence of infusion-related reactions (pre-medication: methylprednisolone only; no mandatory antihistamine).

Results

Modeling predicts that doses of 1200 mg (patients <75kg) or 1800 mg (patients ≥75kg) twice yearly would fulfill these criteria. Based on data from the pivotal trials, the expected risk reduction vs 600 mg in 12-week composite confirmed DP (cCDP; consisting of time to progression measured by the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk or 9-Hole Peg Test) would be ≥35% in RMS and ≥27% in PPMS. Patients with RMS (EDSS score 0–5.5; N=786) or PPMS (EDSS score ≥3.0–6.5; N=699) will be randomized (2:1) to either the higher dose (above) or OCR 600 mg administered every 24 weeks (first dose divided into 2 infusions separated by 14 days) for ≥120 weeks (minimum 5 doses).

The primary outcome for both trials is risk reduction on cCDP. Immunoglobulin and oligoclonal bands in the CSF will be assessed in a sub-study of up to 288 patients.

Conclusions

These studies will test if higher-dose ocrelizumab provides an even higher benefit on cCDP vs the approved 600 mg dose without adversely affecting the established favorable benefit-risk profile.

Background

Ofatumumab, a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, demonstrated superior efficacy versus teriflunomide in Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) trials. Long-term data to assess the safety and benefit-risk profile of ofatumumab 20 mg per month is required.

Objectives

To report the overall safety data of all patients treated with subcutaneous (s.c.) ofatumumab 20 mg for RMS, including patients who continued treatment and those who were newly switched in the ongoing open-label Phase 3b ALITHIOS study.

Methods

The overall safety population was divided into 2 groups 1) Continuous: Patients randomized to ofatumumab in the core Phase 2 APLIOS (12 weeks) or Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II (up to 30 months) trials and continued in ALITHIOS, or completed core study and continued with the safety follow-up, and 2) Newly-switched: Patients randomized to teriflunomide in ASCLEPIOS I/II and switched to ofatumumab in ALITHIOS. All adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs) and deaths up to and including the safety cut-off of 100 days after last administration of ofatumumab are included in this safety analysis until 30 November 2019.

Results

A total of 1873 patients (continuous: 1230; newly-switched: 643) were exposed to ofatumumab ([median duration] continuous: 21.0 months; newly-switched: 4.4 months) for 2118.6 patient-years (continuous: 1903 patient-years; newly-switched: 215.6 patient-years). 71.4% of patients (continuous: 82%; newly-switched: 51%) experienced at least one AE; most were mild-to-moderate. AEs led to ofatumumab discontinuation in 3.0% of patients. SAEs were observed in 6.2% of patients. Incidence of infections was 38.5% (continuous: 49.3%, newly-switched: 18.0%). Serious infections occurred in 1.8% of patients. Incidence of injection-related reactions (IRRs) was 23.7% (continuous: 24.9%; newly-switched: 21.3%); most IRRs were non-serious, grade 1 or 2 and none led to ofatumumab discontinuation. Hepatitis B reactivation, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or deaths have not been reported. No cases of opportunistic infections have been identified. Incidence of malignancies was 0.3% (with confounding) and no new cases have been reported in either continuous or newly-switched patients as of the data cut-off time.

Conclusions

No new safety signals were identified in this extended analysis. The safety profile of ofatumumab in RMS patients remains consistent with data reported in the core studies, including the ASCLEPIOS I/II trials.

Background

Ofatumumab, a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, demonstrated superior efficacy vs teriflunomide with a favorable safety profile in relapsing MS (RMS) patients in the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II trials. Reductions in serum immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG levels are associated with anti-CD20 therapies.

Objectives

To assess the effect of ofatumumab on serum Ig levels and evaluate potential association between a decrease in IgM/IgG levels and risk of infections.

Methods

Patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous ofatumumab 20 mg (initial doses: Days 1, 7, and 14; subsequent doses: every 4 weeks from Week (W) 4 onwards) or oral teriflunomide 14 mg once-daily for up to 30 months (m, mean follow-up duration: 18m). Serum IgM/IgG levels were monitored at baseline (BL), W4, W12, and every 12 weeks thereafter (ofatumumab, n=946; teriflunomide, n=936). Proportion of patients with IgM/IgG levels below the lower limit of normal (<LLN [g/L]: IgM, 0.4; IgG, 7.0), and association of IgM/IgG levels with incidence of infections that occurred up to 1m prior and 1m after any decrease in IgM/IgG levels (<LLN vs ≥LLN) were analyzed. Infections in conjunction with IgM/IgG <LLN and lymphopenia and/or neutropenia on the same visit were also analyzed.

Results

Mean IgM/IgG levels were well within reference ranges over time. Over all post-BL visits, a higher proportion of patients on ofatumumab had IgM<LLN (17.7% vs 6.6%), whilst a lower proportion had IgG<LLN (14.2% vs 22.9%) vs patients on teriflunomide. At W96, a similar trend was observed (IgM<LLN: 11.1% vs 1.9%; IgG<LLN: 2.7% vs 6.0%). Proportion of patients on ofatumumab who experienced ≥1 infection within 1m prior and until 1m after IgM<LLN was 31.1% (52/167; 2 serious) vs 51.5% (400/777) with IgM≥LLN (18 serious). Similarly, 27.6% (37/134) reported infections during a drop in IgG<LLN (3 serious) vs 50.6% (410/810) with IgG≥LLN (21 serious). The most common infection was nasopharyngitis. Overall, 1/11 patients with concurrent IgM<LLN and lymphopenia and/or neutropenia, and 7/20 patients with concurrent IgG<LLN and lymphopenia and/or neutropenia reported infections; none were serious.

Conclusions

Reduction in serum IgM levels was observed over time, but for the majority of patients, Ig levels remained above the lower limit of normal. No decrease in IgG levels was reported within the observation period (mean follow-up: 18m). There was no apparent association between decreased Ig levels and infections in conjunction with lymphopenia and/or neutropenia in ofatumumab-treated RMS patients.

Background

Ongoing safety reporting is crucial to understanding the long-term benefit–risk profile of ocrelizumab in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Safety/efficacy of ocrelizumab have been characterized in Phase II (NCT00676715) and Phase III (NCT01247324; NCT01412333; NCT01194570) trials in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, relapsing MS (RMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Objectives

To report longer-term safety evaluations from ocrelizumab clinical trials and open-label extension (OLE) periods up to January 2020 and selected post-marketing data.

Methods

Safety outcomes are reported for the ocrelizumab all-exposure population in Phase II/III trials and associated OLEs plus ongoing Phase IIIb trials in MS (VELOCE, CHORDS, CASTING, OBOE, ENSEMBLE, LIBERTO and CONSONANCE). The number of post-marketing ocrelizumab-treated patients is based on estimated number of vials sold and US claims data. To account for different exposure lengths, rates per 100 patient years (PY) are presented.

Results

In clinical trials, 5,680 patients with MS received ocrelizumab (18,218 PY of exposure) as of January 2020. Reported rates per 100 PY (95% confidence interval) were: adverse events (AEs), 248 (246–251); infections, 76.2 (74.9–77.4); serious AEs, 7.34 (6.96–7.75); serious infections, 2.01 (1.81–2.23); malignancies, 0.46 (0.37–0.57); and AEs leading to discontinuation, 1.06 (0.92–1.22). As of April 2020, over 158,000 patients with MS have initiated ocrelizumab globally in the post-marketing setting. Data remain generally consistent with those observed in clinical trials.

Conclusions

Reported rates of AEs in the ocrelizumab all-exposure clinical trial population and post-marketing settings remain generally consistent with the controlled treatment period in RMS/PPMS populations. Rates of serious infections and malignancies remain within the range reported for patients with MS in real-world registries. In patients with RMS and PPMS, ocrelizumab demonstrates a consistent and favorable safety profile, and these longer-term data are in accordance with the safety outcomes initially observed during the controlled treatment periods. Regular reporting of longer-term safety data will continue.

Background

The gut microbiota is emerging as a critical regulator of immune responses and appears to play an important role in MS. The International Multiple Sclerosis Microbiome study (iMSMS) is a global collaboration aimed at elucidating the role of commensal gut bacteria in MS by acquiring and analyzing samples from 2000 patients and 2000 household healthy controls.

Objectives

The iMSMS focuses on identifying the microbes, genes and pathways that are involved in MS pathogenesis and on investigating how the microbiome changes response to treatment.

Methods

A total of 576 case and household healthy control pairs were recruited from 7 centers located in the US (West and East coasts), Europe and South America. Stool samples were collected and evaluated by both 16S and shallow whole metagenome shotgun sequencing. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to understand patterns of variation on gut microbiome.

Results

This is the largest MS microbiome study reported to date. Our results showed a statistically significant difference of beta diversity between MS and healthy controls for the first time in MS. Intriguingly, multiple species of Akkermansia, including the known mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, were significantly enriched in untreated MS patients after adjusting for confounding factors, but the difference was not detected in treated MS group versus control. Ruminococcus torques and Eisenbergiella tayi were also among the top significantly enriched bacteria in MS. Inversely, a main butyrate producer, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, was significantly decreased in the untreated MS group. Functional pathways of L-tryptophan biosynthesis and L-threonine biosynthesis were slightly increased in untreated MS patients, while 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide biosynthesis I was increased in the treated group.

Conclusions

Our large household-controlled study allowed us to identify modest but statistically robust MS-associated changes in bacterial composition and functions. It provides the foundation for all future studies of the gut microbiota in MS. The strain-level genomic variation and microbiome-derived molecules need to be further explored for understanding microbial adaptation and pathogenicity.

Background

In persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the criterion standard for assessing disability, but its in-person nature constrains patient participation in research and clinical assessments.

Objectives

To develop and validate a scalable, electronic, unsupervised patient-reported EDSS (ePR-EDSS) that would capture MS-related disability across the spectrum of severity.

Methods

We enrolled 136 adult MS patients, split into a preliminary testing Cohort 1 (n=50), and a validation Cohort 2 (n=86), which was evenly distributed across EDSS groups. Each patient completed an ePR-EDSS either immediately before or after a MS clinician’s Neurostatus EDSS (NS-EDSS) evaluation. The final ePR-EDSS version includes 23 questions, takes between 7-12 minutes to complete (based on time measured for Cohort 2 participants), and can be accessed at https://openmsbioscreen.ucsf.edu/predss/about.

Results

In Cohort 2, mean age was 50.6 years (range 26-80) and median EDSS was 3.5 (IQR 1.5, 5.5). The ePR-EDSS and EDSS agreed within 1-point for 86% of examinations; kappa for agreement within 1-point was 0.85 (p<0.001). The correlation coefficient between the two measures was 0.91 (<0.001). For individual functional systems, complete agreement was highest for the brainstem score (55.8%) and lowest for the sensory score (31.4%). In sensitivity analyses adjusted for NS-EDSS, the absolute difference between ePR-EDSS and NS-EDSS was not significantly related to age, sex, disease duration, years of education, or the timepoint at which the ePR-EDSS tool was assessed (before/after neurological exam).

Conclusions

The ePR-EDSS is unique compared to other published tools - it can be accessed and performed by the patient without any supervision, is freely and openly available, has built-in logic to calculate functional system and total scores, and is validated over a wide NS-EDSS range. It demonstrated high correlation with NS-EDSS, with good agreement even at lower EDSS levels. For clinical care, the ePR-EDSS could enable the longitudinal monitoring of a patient’s disability. For research, it provides a valid and rapid measure across the entire spectrum of disability and permits broader participation with fewer in-person assessments.

Background

Ofatumumab, a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with a monthly 20 mg s.c. dosing regimen, demonstrated superior efficacy vs teriflunomide and a favorable safety profile in the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) trials.

Objectives

To evaluate the benefit-risk profile of ofatumumab treatment in patients with early RMS in the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II trials.

Methods

Key efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed in the subgroup of 615 newly diagnosed (within 3 years before screening), treatment-naïve (no prior disease-modifying therapy [DMT] use) patients who received ofatumumab or teriflunomide as a first-line therapy in ASCLEPIOS I/II trials (32.7% of the total 1882 patients).

Results

Baseline characteristics of the newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve subgroup were typical of early MS patients (median age and MS duration since diagnosis (years) were 36 and 0.35, respectively). Compared to patients on teriflunomide, ofatumumab reduced ARR by 50.3% (0.09 vs 0.18; p<0.001), 3mCDW risk by 38% (10.1% vs 12.8%; p=0.065), 6mCDW risk by 46% (5.9% vs 10.4%; p=0.044), gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions/scan by 95.4% (0.02 vs 0.39: p<0.001), and new/enlarging T2 lesions/year by 82.0% (0.86 vs 4.78, p<0.001). Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 84.7% ofatumumab vs 86.0% teriflunomide-treated patients; serious AEs were reported in 7.0% and 5.3%, respectively. No cases of malignancies were reported in this newly diagnosed subgroup, randomized to either drug. Infection rates were comparable between ofatumumab (56.1%) and teriflunomide (56.5%); serious infections rates were 1.9% and 0.7%, respectively, and no opportunistic infections were reported. Systemic injection reactions were only imbalanced between ofatumumab and teriflunomide (with placebo injections) at the first injection given at the study site, and 99.8% of injection reactions were mild-to-moderate in this subgroup; after the 4^th injection, >70% RMS patients self-injected at home. Compliance of all patients with ofatumumab was high (98.8%).

Conclusions

Ofatumumab is the first high efficacy DMT that can be self-administered at home, as demonstrated in Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I/II trials. Ofatumumab showed superior efficacy vs teriflunomide in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with low absolute relapse rates, very low MRI lesion activity and prolonged time to disability worsening, consistent with the overall study population.

Background

Preventing multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression is critical in preserving function and quality of life. Fenebrutinib is a potent, highly selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor with a dual mechanism of action. Fenebrutinib targets acute and chronic aspects of MS by decreasing B-cell activation and limiting myeloid proinflammatory responses. This profile and studies of fenebrutinib in patients with other inflammatory diseases suggest a potentially favorable benefit-risk ratio, although there are no studies yet in patients with MS.

Objectives

To describe the unique design aspects of the Phase III fenebrutinib clinical trial program as they relate to understanding disease progression across the MS spectrum.

Methods

We developed a Phase III program that will assess disease progression in two identical clinical trials in relapsing MS (RMS) and one trial in primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Results

To understand the effects of fenebrutinib on disease progression, all three trials include 12-week composite Confirmed Disability Progression (cCDP12) as a primary endpoint; the RMS trials also include annualized relapse rate as a co-primary endpoint. The cCDP12 requires at least one of the following: (1) an increase in Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) score of ≥1.0 point from a baseline (BL) score of ≤5.5 points, or a ≥0.5 point increase from a BL score of >5.5 points; (2) a 20% increase from BL in time to complete the 9-Hole Peg Test; (3) a 20% increase from BL in the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test. The cCDP12 is a more sensitive assessment of disability than the EDSS, especially at early disease stages, as it provides a quantitative assessment of upper limb function. Comparator arms will include active disease-modifying treatments with known effects on disability progression (PPMS=ocrelizumab; RMS=teriflunomide). Treatment assignments will be 1:1, with estimated enrollment of 734 patients in each of the RMS trials and 946 in the PPMS trial. Study durations will be event driven, with the primary analysis occurring after a prespecified number of cCDP12 events (≥96 or ≥120 weeks in the RMS and PPMS trials, respectively).

Conclusions

Fenebrutinib will be investigated in RMS and PPMS and may offer a unique approach to slowing disease progression in MS. Furthermore, the use of the cCDP12 as a primary endpoint may provide a clearer, more complete picture of disability progression or improvement than the EDSS alone.

Background

Ocrelizumab (OCR) is approved for the treatment of relapsing (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) at a dose of 600 mg iv twice yearly and showed significant benefit on disability progression (DP). Exposure-response (ER) analyses of the pivotal OCR Phase III studies in patients with RMS or PPMS showed that those with higher exposures (based on individual mean serum concentration [Cmean] exposure quartiles) had a greater benefit on DP vs patients with lower exposure, without an increase in adverse events. While doses of OCR of 1000–2000 mg were studied in a Phase II study, doses >600 mg have not been investigated in Phase III studies in RMS or PPMS patients.

Objectives

To present the OCR higher dose selection rationale and design of two double-blind, parallel-group, randomized Phase IIIb studies (one in RMS and one in PPMS) aiming to explore if a higher dose of OCR will provide even higher benefits vs 600 mg on DP without adversely affecting the established favorable benefit-risk profile.

Methods

The higher dose of OCR in both studies is based on achieving a Cmean of at least that observed in the highest exposure quartile of the Phase III ER analyses while limiting Cmean below that observed with the highest OCR dose of 2000 mg in the Phase II study that had a similar safety profile, except for a slightly higher incidence of infusion-related reactions (pre-medication: methylprednisolone only; no mandatory antihistamine).

Results

Modeling predicts that doses of 1200 mg (patients <75kg) or 1800 mg (patients ≥75kg) twice yearly would fulfill these criteria. Based on data from the pivotal trials, the expected risk reduction vs 600 mg in 12-week composite confirmed DP (cCDP; consisting of time to progression measured by the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk or 9-Hole Peg Test) would be ≥35% in RMS and ≥27% in PPMS. Patients with RMS (EDSS score 0–5.5; N=786) or PPMS (EDSS score ≥3.0–6.5; N=699) will be randomized (2:1) to either the higher dose (above) or OCR 600 mg administered every 24 weeks (first dose divided into 2 infusions separated by 14 days) for ≥120 weeks (minimum 5 doses).

The primary outcome for both trials is risk reduction on cCDP. Immunoglobulin and oligoclonal bands in the CSF will be assessed in a sub-study of up to 288 patients.

Conclusions

These studies will test if higher-dose ocrelizumab provides an even higher benefit on cCDP vs the approved 600 mg dose without adversely affecting the established favorable benefit-risk profile.

Background

Ongoing safety reporting is crucial to understanding the long-term benefit–risk profile of ocrelizumab in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Safety/efficacy of ocrelizumab have been characterized in Phase II (NCT00676715) and Phase III (NCT01247324; NCT01412333; NCT01194570) trials in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, relapsing MS (RMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Objectives

To report longer-term safety evaluations from ocrelizumab clinical trials and open-label extension (OLE) periods up to January 2020 and selected post-marketing data.

Methods

Safety outcomes are reported for the ocrelizumab all-exposure population in Phase II/III trials and associated OLEs plus ongoing Phase IIIb trials in MS (VELOCE, CHORDS, CASTING, OBOE, ENSEMBLE, LIBERTO and CONSONANCE). The number of post-marketing ocrelizumab-treated patients is based on estimated number of vials sold and US claims data. To account for different exposure lengths, rates per 100 patient years (PY) are presented.

Results

In clinical trials, 5,680 patients with MS received ocrelizumab (18,218 PY of exposure) as of January 2020. Reported rates per 100 PY (95% confidence interval) were: adverse events (AEs), 248 (246–251); infections, 76.2 (74.9–77.4); serious AEs, 7.34 (6.96–7.75); serious infections, 2.01 (1.81–2.23); malignancies, 0.46 (0.37–0.57); and AEs leading to discontinuation, 1.06 (0.92–1.22). As of April 2020, over 158,000 patients with MS have initiated ocrelizumab globally in the post-marketing setting. Data remain generally consistent with those observed in clinical trials.

Conclusions

Reported rates of AEs in the ocrelizumab all-exposure clinical trial population and post-marketing settings remain generally consistent with the controlled treatment period in RMS/PPMS populations. Rates of serious infections and malignancies remain within the range reported for patients with MS in real-world registries. In patients with RMS and PPMS, ocrelizumab demonstrates a consistent and favorable safety profile, and these longer-term data are in accordance with the safety outcomes initially observed during the controlled treatment periods. Regular reporting of longer-term safety data will continue.