Multiple Sclerosis Centre, I Division of Neurology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

Author Of 2 Presentations

Disease Modifying Therapies – Mechanism of Action Poster Presentation

P0273 - A multicentre, real-life study on the risk of lymphopenia and infections discloses a favourable safety profile of cladribine in MS patients. (ID 1086)

Speakers
Presentation Number
P0273
Presentation Topic
Disease Modifying Therapies – Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Background

Background. Lymphopenia monitoring during treatment with disease modifying drugs for MS is relevant because of the potential increased risk of infections. Lymphopenia is an anticipated effect of cladribine (CLD) treatment, given its mechanism of action.

Objectives

Objectives. We aimed to i) characterize the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) changes, and ii) evaluate the risk of infections in CLD-treated RRMS patients. ALCs were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5.0).

Methods

Materials and methods. In this observational multicentre study, demographic, clinical and MRI data of the patients included in the Free Of Charge CLD program were collected. ALC was also collected at baseline (before therapy initiation) and at month 3, 7, 12, 15, 19 and 24.

Results

Results. 236 patients were enrolled in 56 Italian MS Centres (71% F; mean age: 39+11.5 years; mean disease duration: 10+8.5 years). The median baseline EDSS was 3.0 (quartiles 1.5-3.5; range 0-6.5). 53 patients (22.5%) were treatment naïve, 107 (45.3%) switched to CLD from first line DMDs (for inefficacy), 76 (32.2%) switched to CLD after a second line therapy (33/76 for safety reason, 43/76 for inefficacy). Mean follow up was 12.2+5 months. At baseline, median ALC was 1615.0 cell/mm3 (quartiles, 1300.0-2200.0). At month 3, ALC was available in 190/236 and 101/190 had lymphopenia: 12 (6.3%) grade 3, 47 (24.7%) grade 2 and 42 (22.1%) grade 1. Among patients presenting grade 3 at month 3, only one had persistent ALC <500 cell/mm3 at month 7. At month 7, ALC was available in 180/236 and 77/180 had lymphopenia: 1 (0.6%) grade 4, 1 (0.6%) grade 3, 43 (23.9%) grade 2 and 32 (17.8%) grade 1. Up to date, 159/236 patients were re-treated. No retreatment was delayed because of grade 4 lymphopenia. No patient presented grade 4 lymphopenia at month 15, 6/89 (6.6%) experienced grade 3, 37/89 (40.7%) grade 2, 17/89 (18.7%) grade 1. At month 19, 1/38 (2.6%) presented grade 3 lymphopenia, 11/38 (29.0%) grade 2 and 9/38 (23.7%) grade 1. At month 24, 1/9 (11.1%) patient presented grade 3 and 1/9 (11.1%) presented grade 4 lymphopenia. During treatment course, 15 patients experienced infections (1 VZV, 3 HSV), none occurring in grade 3 or 4 lymphopenia.

Conclusions

Conclusions. In our study, the risk of grade 3 and 4 lymphopenia was lower compared to that observed in RCT. Moreover, grade 3 lymphopenia was transient in the majority of the patients. Compared to RTC, a more favourable CLD safety profile emerged in our study.

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Disease Modifying Therapies – Mechanism of Action Poster Presentation

P0344 - Injectable versus oral first-line disease-modifying therapies: results from Italian MS register (ID 1384)

Abstract

Background

The advent of oral first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) has expanded considerably the therapeutic landscape. However, here is an important need to gather real-world evidence data regarding long-term treatment effectiveness and safety in comparison to the old first-line injectables DMTs.

Objectives

To compare old injectable and oral first line DMTs for time to first relapse, time to confirmed disability progression (CDP), and time to discontinuation in a cohort of RRMS patients extracted from the Italian MS Registry.

Methods

Multicentre, observational, retrospectively acquired and propensity-adjusted cohort study of RRMS-naïve patients in the Italian MS Register starting injective or oral first line DMTs between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017 to evaluate their impact on disability outcomes in patients. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups: injectable group (IG) and oral group (OG).

Results

From a cohort of 11,416 patients, 4,602 were enrolled (3,919 on IG and 683 on OG). IG had higher rate of women (67.3% vs 63.4%, p<.05) and a lower mean age (36.1±10.9 vs 38.9±11.8, p<.001). For the event time to first relapse, Cox models after PS adjustment revealed a lower risk for OG patients (HR 0.58 CI95% 0.47-0.70, p<0.001). About the risk of CDP, no differences were found in the two groups (HR 1.14 CI95% 0.88-1.48, p=0.306). About the risk of DMT discontinuation, OG patients showed lower risk (HR 0.70 CI95% 0.57-0.86 p=0.001) than IG patients.

Conclusions

Real-world data from the Italian MS registry suggest that first line oral DMTs are associated to lower risks of experiencing a new relapse and of therapy discontinuation in comparison to injectable DMTs.

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