Ocrelizumab efficacy in subgroups of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

Objective The efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab, versus interferon (IFN) -1a, for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) from the identically designed OPERA I (NCT01247324) and OPERA II (NCT01412333) phase III studies has been reported; here we present subgroup analyses of efficacy endpoints from the pooled OPERA I and OPERA II populations. Methods Patients with RMS were randomized to either ocrelizumab 600mg administered by intravenous infusion every 24 weeks or subcutaneous IFN beta-1a 44 mu g three times per week throughout the 96-week treatment period. Relapse, disability, and MRI outcomes were analyzed for predefined and post hoc subgroups based on demographic and disease characteristics along with prior treatment using appropriate statistical tests to determine the treatment effect in subgroups and treatment-by-subgroup interactions. Results The significant treatment benefit of ocrelizumab, versus IFN beta-1a, observed in the overall OPERA I and OPERA II pooled populations was maintained across most subgroup strata for all endpoints, including annualized relapse rate, disability progression, and MRI outputs. Conclusions The treatment effect of ocrelizumab versus IFN beta-1a, measured by clinical and MRI outcomes, was maintained across most of the subgroups and strata of interest, and the pattern of treatment benefit across all subgroups was consistent with that from the pooled OPERA studies.