Extended interval dosing with ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis
Frederik Novak, Hamza Mahmood Bajwa, Kamilla Østergaard, Jonas M. Berg, Jonna Skov Madsen, Dorte Aalund Olsen, Inga Urbonavičiūtė, Zsolt Illés, Morten Stilund, Jeppe Romme Christensen, Stephan Bramow, Finn Sellebjerg, Tobias Sejbæk
Abstract
Background: This study investigates clinical and biomarker differences between standard interval dosing (SID) and extended interval dosing (EID) of ocrelizumab therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This is a prospective, double-arm, open-label, multi-center study in Denmark. Participants diagnosed with MS on ocrelizumab therapy >12 months were included ( n = 184). Clinical, radiological, and blood-based biomarker outcomes were evaluated. MRI disease activity, relapses, worsening of neurostatus, and No Evidence of Disease Activity-3 (NEDA-3) were used as a combined endpoint. Results: Out of 184 participants, 107 participants received EID (58.2%), whereas 77 participants received SID (41.8%). The average extension was 9 weeks with a maximum of 78 weeks. When comparing EID to SID, we found higher levels of B-cells, lower serum concentrations of ocrelizumab, and similar levels of age-adjusted NFL and GFAP in the two groups. No difference in NEDA-3 between EID and SID was demonstrated (hazard ratio: 1.174, p = 0.69). Higher levels of NFL were identified in participants with disease activity. Body mass index correlated with levels of ocrelizumab and B-cells. Conclusion: Extending one treatment interval of ocrelizumab on average 9 weeks and up to 78 weeks did not result in clinical, radiological, or biomarker evidence of worsening compared with SID.