IntroductionThe long-term safety of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) has been studied in mainly Caucasian patients. The present interim analysis aimed to evaluate the 72-week safety of DMF in Japanese patients with RRMS.MethodsSafety data of Japanese subjects enrolled in the 24-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled APEX study (Part I) and its following open-label extension (Part II) were analysed at 72 weeks from the beginning of Part I. In Part I, subjects were randomised to DMF treatment or matching placebo while all subjects received DMF treatment during Part II. Adverse events (AEs) reported throughout the study period were recorded.ResultsOverall, 109 Japanese subjects completed 72 weeks of treatment. The incidence of AEs and serious AEs was 95% and 19%, respectively, in the DMF group compared with 84% and 18%, respectively, in the placebo group at 24 weeks. Common AEs (at least 5%) reported with treatment included nasopharyngitis, flushing, hot flush, gastrointestinal events, pruritus, rash, headache, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). AEs led to discontinuation of DMF in 5% of patients and included MS relapse, flushing, abdominal pain, liver disorder and increased ALT/AST. After an initial decrease from baseline of 17% in the DMF group at week 24, the mean lymphocyte counts stabilised and were maintained until week 72. No opportunistic/serious infections nor malignancies were reported with DMF treatment. The incidences of AEs, serious AEs, and discontinuation due to AEs were similar between the DMF and the placebo groups.ConclusionThe 72-week safety profile of DMF in Japanese patients with RRMS was consistent with previous studies that enrolled mostly Caucasian patients, with a lower incidence of flushing and related symptoms and a lower reduction in the lymphocyte count compared with previous reports.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01838668.FundingBiogen Japan Ltd.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12325-018-0788-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Current data for the use of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is limited. Objectives To assess the efficacy of DMF in Japanese patients with RRMS. Methods The phase 3, multinational APEX study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01838668) consisted of two parts: a 24-week double-blind part where subjects were randomized to receive DMF 240 mg or placebo twice daily in East Asian and Eastern European countries, and an open-label extension part where all subjects received DMF. The primary endpoint was the total number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions in Weeks 12–24. In this interim analysis, we report efficacy data in the Japanese subgroup (DMF n = 56; placebo n = 58) over 72 weeks, including an extension phase. Results DMF reduced the total number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions in Weeks 12–24 by 85% versus placebo ( p < 0.0001). At Week 24, the annualized relapse rate was also reduced by 48% with DMF, versus placebo. DMF reduced the probability of relapse from Week 8 and was sustained. The number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions was maintained through 72 weeks. Conclusions DMF demonstrated sustained efficacy in this Japanese subgroup. The results were consistent with those observed in studies of DMF enrolling primarily Caucasian patients.

Background The use of dimethyl fumarate has not been reported in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dimethyl fumarate in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Methods APEX was a phase 3, multinational trial, which consisted of a 24-week, randomized (1:1), double-blind study where patients received dimethyl fumarate 240 mg or placebo twice daily, followed by an open-label extension where all patients received dimethyl fumarate 240 mg. The primary endpoints were the total number of new gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions in Weeks 12–24 (Part I) and long-term safety (Part II). This post-hoc subgroup analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of dimethyl fumarate in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis ( n =52) up to Week 72 (24 weeks Part I and 48 weeks Part II). Results Dimethyl fumarate reduced the mean total number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions at Weeks 12–24 by 94% versus placebo; the number of patients who had a relapse over 24 weeks was reduced by 72%. Adverse events leading to discontinuation of the study drug were reported in 9% of patients receiving placebo/dimethyl fumarate and 4% of patients in dimethyl fumarate/dimethyl fumarate. Conclusions Dimethyl fumarate demonstrated sustained efficacy and acceptable tolerability in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis for 72 weeks.

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