In patients with early, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, alemtuzumab was more effective than interferon beta-1a but was associated with autoimmunity, most seriously manifesting as immune thrombocytopenic purpura. The study was not powered to identify uncommon adverse events. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00050778.)

Objective:To evaluate 5-year efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and inadequate response to prior therapy.Methods:In the 2-year Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS) II study (NCT00548405), alemtuzumab-treated patients received 2 courses (baseline and 12 months later). Patients could enter an extension (NCT00930553), with as-needed alemtuzumab retreatment for relapse or MRI activity. Annualized relapse rate (ARR), 6-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW; ≥1-point Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score increase [≥1.5 if baseline EDSS = 0]), 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI; ≥1-point EDSS decrease [baseline score ≥2.0]), no evidence of disease activity (NEDA), brain volume loss (BVL), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed.Results:Most alemtuzumab-treated patients (92.9%) who completed CARE-MS II entered the extension; 59.8% received no alemtuzumab retreatment. ARR was low in each extension year (years 3–5: 0.22, 0.23, 0.18). Through 5 years, 75.1% of patients were free of 6-month CDW; 42.9% achieved 6-month CDI. In years 3, 4, and 5, proportions with NEDA were 52.9%, 54.2%, and 58.2%, respectively. Median yearly BVL remained low in the extension (years 1–5: −0.48%, −0.22%, −0.10%, −0.19%, −0.07%). AE exposure-adjusted incidence rates in the extension were lower than in the core study. Thyroid disorders peaked at year 3, declining thereafter.Conclusions:Alemtuzumab provides durable efficacy through 5 years in patients with an inadequate response to prior therapy in the absence of continuous treatment.Classification of evidence:This study provides Class III evidence that alemtuzumab provides efficacy and slowing of brain atrophy through 5 years.

Background Few data exist concerning conversion to secondary progressive MS in patients treated with disease-modifying therapies. Objective Determine the proportion of alemtuzumab-treated patients converting from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive MS during the CARE-MS core and extension studies. Methods Patients ( N = 811) were analyzed post hoc for secondary progressive MS conversion. Optimal conversion definition: Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≥4, pyramidal functional system score ≥2, and confirmed progression over ≥3 months including confirmation within the functional system leading to progression, independent of relapse. Results Over 6.2 years median follow-up, 20 alemtuzumab-treated patients converted (Kaplan-Meier estimate, 2.7%; 95% confidence interval, 1.8%–4.2%). Sensitivity analysis accounting for dropouts showed similar results (3%), as did analyses using alternative definitions with different EDSS thresholds and/or confirmation periods, and analysis of core study subcutaneous interferon beta-1a-treated patients who received alemtuzumab in the extension. Patients converting to secondary progressive MS were older, and had higher EDSS scores and greater brain lesion volumes at baseline, but did not need additional alemtuzumab or other therapies. Conclusions The 6-year conversion rate to secondary progressive MS was low for alemtuzumab-treated patients, supporting further study of the role alemtuzumab may play in reducing risk of secondary progression. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT00530348, NCT00548405, NCT00930553.

IntroductionIn CARE-MS II (NCT00548405), alemtuzumab (12 mg/day, baseline: 5 days; 12 months later: 3 days) significantly improved clinical/MRI outcomes versus subcutaneous interferon beta-1a over 2 years in relapsing-remitting MS patients with inadequate response to prior therapy; significantly greater percentage of alemtuzumab-treated patients achieved 6 month confirmed disability improvement (CDI). Efficacy remained durable in a 4 year extension (NCT00930553). Here we assess alemtuzumab efficacy on disability at the level of functional systems (FS) scores of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) over 6 years.MethodsEDSS and individual FS scores were recorded at baseline and quarterly; CDI (≥1.0 point EDSS decrease confirmed over 6 months) was assessed in patients with baseline EDSS score ≥2.0.ResultsOf the 393 patients who entered the extension, 338 (86%) remained on study through Year 6; 50% received neither alemtuzumab retreatment nor other disease-modifying therapy after the initial 2 courses. Through Years 3–6, 76%–80% of patients showed stable (≤0.5 point change) or improved (≥1.0 point decrease) EDSS scores versus core study mean (SD) baseline score of 2.7 (1.2);≥75% were stable/improved in each FS. Through Year 6, 43% achieved 6 month CDI and 96% of patients with CDI had an EDSS score <4. 71% of patients with CDI achieved improvements in >1 FS. Improvements were observed in each FS, most frequently occurring in the sensory (48%), pyramidal (44%), and cerebellar (44%) systems; 21%–25% showed improvements in the brainstem, cerebral, visual, and bowel/bladder FS.ConclusionMost (86%) CARE-MS II patients who entered the extension remained on the study through Year 6;≥75% of alemtuzumab-treated patients had improved/stable scores across all FS over 6 years. Improvements were seen for each FS in patients with 6 month CDI, with 71% showing improvements in >1 FS, indicating a broad treatment effect with alemtuzumab on multiple aspects of disability improvements.Study supportSanofi and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Efficacy of alemtuzumab retreatment (course [C] 3) after the initial 2 courses were evaluated (CARE-MS II, NCT00548405; extension, NCT00930553). Patients received alemtuzumab retreatment (12 mg/day, 3 consecutive days;≥12 months apart) as needed for relapse and/or MRI activity or another disease-modifying therapy (DMT) per investigator’s discretion. Assessments 12 months before C3 and up to 3 years after C3: annualised relapse rate (ARR); improved/stable Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (versus core study baseline); 6 month confirmed disability improvement (CDI). Patients receiving another DMT were excluded. Analyses included patients who received C3 or more, with data censored at the time of C4 if a fourth course was received. Through Year 6, 88% of patients entering the extension remained on study, with 45% receiving ≥1 retreatment. ARR decreased from 0.85 (12 months before C3) to 0.20 (12 months after C3; rate ratio [95% CI], 0.24 [0.17–0.34]; p<0.0001), and remained low (0.27) 3 years after C3. 68% of patients maintained stable/improved EDSS 12 months after C3. The percentage with CDI increased from 4% (12 months before C3) to 14% (12 months after C3; p=0.0126). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of alemtuzumab C3 in patients with disease activity after the initial 2 courses.Study support: Sanofi and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.