Ocrelizumab Extended Interval Dosing in Multiple Sclerosis in Times of COVID-19
Leoni Rolfes, Marc Pawlitzki, Steffen Pfeuffer, Christopher Nelke, Anke Lux, Refik Pul, Christoph Kleinschnitz, Konstanze Kleinschnitz, Rebeca Rogall, Katrin Pape, Stefan Bittner, Frauke Zipp, Clemens Warnke, Yasemin Goereci, Michael Schroeter, Jens Ingwersen, Orhan Aktaş, Luisa Klotz, Tobias Ruck, Heinz Wiendl, Sven G. Meuth
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical consequences of extended interval dosing (EID) of ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: In our retrospective, multicenter cohort study, we compared patients with RRMS on EID (defined as ≥4-week delay of dose interval) with a control group on standard interval dosing (SID) at the same period (January to December 2020). RESULTS: B-cell repopulation. CONCLUSION: Our data support EID of ocrelizumab as potential risk mitigation strategy in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with RRMS, an EID of at least 4 weeks does not diminish effectiveness of ocrelizumab.