5 th MS Research Day, June 14 th 2014 New treatments in MS What s here and what s nearly here David Miller Queen Square MS Centre at UCL and UCLH
Course of MS and its treatment Relapsing remitting Disability Secondary progressive Primary progressive Progressive relapsing Time in years
Aims of treatment Prevent relapses and associated disability Prevent progressive disability Reverse persistent disability
Aims of treatment Prevent relapses and associated disability Prevent progressive disability X Reverse persistent disability X
Current treatments are for relapsing remitting MS Relapsing remitting Secondary progressive Primary progressive Progressive relapsing Time in years Time
Problems measuring relapses Insensitive measure: tip of the iceberg Large and expensive treatment trials Trials don t address very long-term effects
Relapsing remitting MS: Monthly MRI: new lesions 10 new lesions per one relapse
New MRI lesions = good surrogate for relapses in more than 50 MS trials Decreasing MRI lesions Decreasing relapses Sormani et al Lancet Neurology 2013
Treatments work by impeding the immune cells that cause new lesions and relapses Immunomodulation Less effective Fewer side effects Immunosuppression More effective More side effects
What s here β-(beta)-interferons Avonex Injection into muscle once a week Rebif Injection under skin 3 times a week Betaferon Injection under skin every second day Extavia Injection under skin every second day Glatiramer acetate Copaxone Injection under skin every day Natalizumab Tysabri Injection into vein once a month Fingolimod Gilenya Tablet once a day
ß-interferon Immunomodulation Reduces relapse rate by 30% Reduces new MRI lesions by 60% Good long term safety
Glatiramer acetate Immunomodulation Reduces relapse rate by 30% Reduces new MRI lesions by 40% Good long term safety
NHS risk sharing scheme for β-interferon & glatiramer acetate Criteria for treatment Two relapses in two years Able to walk 6-year analysis = cost-effective
Natalizumab (Tysabri) Immunosuppression (novel) Prevents immune cells going from the blood to the brain Reduces relapse rate by 70% Reduced new MRI lesions by 90% Reduces disability by 40% Recommended by NICE for NHS (2007)
Blood-brain barrier Brain
Natalizumab: side effects Allergic reactions Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML)
PML Risk Stratification* JC Anti-JCV Virus antibody Antibody Status test Negative (50%) Positive (50%) 1 in 10,000 0.1/1000 95% CI 0.01-0.35 1 in 189 1 in 164 1 in 1,429 Natalizumab Exposure No No Prior IS Use 1 24 months 0.7/1000 95% CI 0.5-1.0 25 48 months 5.3/1000 95% CI 4.4-6.2 49-72 months 6.1/1000 95% CI 4.8-7.8 Prior IS Use Yes Prior IS Use 1.8/1000 95% CI 1.1-2.7 11.2/1000 95% CI 8.6-14.3 Insufficient data Data beyond 6 years of treatment are limited. There are insufficient data to adequately determine PML risk in anti-jcv antibody positive patients with prior IS use and >48 months of natalizumab exposure. 1 in 556 *Based on natalizumab exposure and 343 confirmed PML cases as of 5 th March 2013. Prior IS data in overall natalizumab-treated patients based on proportion of patients with IS use prior to natalizumab therapy in TYGRIS as of May 2011; and prior IS data in PML patients as of 5 th March 2013. The analysis assumes that 55% of natalizumab-treated MS patients were anti-jcv antibody positive and that all PML patients test positive for anti-jcv antibodies prior to the onset and diagnosis of PML. The estimate of PML incidence in anti-jcv antibody negative patients is based on the assumption that all patients received at least 1 dose of natalizumab. Assuming that all patients received at least 18 doses of natalizumab, the estimate of PML incidence in anti-jcv antibody negative patients was generally consistent (0.16/1000; 95% CI 0.02 0.56). 1 in 89 Biogen Idec, data on file.
NICE Criteria for natalizumab treatment 2 disabling relapses in 12 months + new MRI lesions
Fingolimod (Gilenya) Immunosuppression (novel) Traps immune cells in lymph nodes Reduces relapse rate by 50% Reduces new MRI lesions by 75% Reduces disability by 30% Recommended by NICE for NHS (2012)
Fingolimod: mechanism of action (Sphingosine)
Fingolimod: side effects Herpes infections (can be severe) Heart block with first dose (ECG monitoring) Blurred vision (swelling back of eye) Abnormal liver function High blood pressure
NHS England criteria for fingolimod Relapses on β-interferon or glatiramer acetate High PML risk on natalizumab
What s nearly here Teriflunomide Aubagio Tablet once a day Dimethylfumarate Tecfidera Tablet twice a day Alemtuzumab Lemtrada Injection into vein every day for 5 days then again one year later for 3 days
Teriflunomide (Aubagio) Immunomodulation Reduces relapse rate by 30% Reduces new MRI lesions by 50% Recommended by NICE for NHS (2014)
Teriflunomide: side effects Nausea, diarrhoea Hair thinning Abnormal liver function Must avoid in pregnancy
NICE criteria for teriflunomide treatment Two relapses in two years
Dimethyfumarate (Tecfidera) Immunomodulation Reduces relapse rate by 50% Reduces new MRI lesions by 75% NICE appraisal: on-going
Dimethylfumarate: side effects Flushing Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea Abnormal liver function Low white blood cell count
Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) Immunosuppression Depletes immune cells from the blood Reduces relapses, disability and new lesions by 50% compared to β-interferon Recommended by NICE for NHS (2014) Active relapsing remitting MS
Alemtuzumab: side effects Infusion reactions Infections (including herpes) Overactive thyroid Internal bleeding (low platelets) Kidney failure (rare)
Effectiveness and risks of treatments 3.5 3 2.5 Natalizumab Alemtuzumab Increasing risks 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 β-interferon Glatiramer acetate Teriflunomide Fingolimod Dimethylfumarate 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 Increasing effectiveness
Options for treating relapsing remitting MS There will very soon be 10 different treatments Their benefits and side effects vary More benefit more side effects Different treatments will benefit different people Should be able to control relapses in most people
Future treatment of relapsing remitting MS More new treatments on the way Combination treatments Personalised treatment Long term benefit and safety