Effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab in the treatment of active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a multicenter, observational study

Objective So far, a limited number of real-world evidence studies about the effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab (ALM) have been published, some of them with a relatively small number of included patients. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of ALM in real-world clinical practice in two MS centers in Slovenia and Croatia. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of 71 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS who were treated with ALM from 2015 till 2018. The following data were collected: gender, age at disease onset, disease duration at ALM initiation, previous disease modifying therapy, number of relapses, active MRI lesions, and EDSS in the year prior to ALM initiation and every year of follow-up. Results All patients completed the standard dosing schedule and were followed for a mean time of 3.2 +/- 1.1 years after the initiation of treatment. Complete data for the 2 years after treatment (relapses, EDSS, and MRI) were available for 48 patients, of which 14 (29.2%) achieved NEDA. Clinical NEDA was achieved in 38 out of 63 participants (60.3%). In year 1, 24 out of 57 (42.1%) patients achieved NEDA. In year 2, 26 out of 41 (63.4%) patients achieved NEDA. Lower EDSS prior to starting ALM was the only independent predictor of NEDA in a multivariable model. Adverse events occurred in 58 participants (84.1%), with no new safety signals identified. Conclusion According to the data from our cohort of early active RRMS patients we conclude ALM efficacy remains high in the real-world clinical practice.

Automated summary

A retrospective chart review of 71 patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with ALM in two MS centers in Slovenia and Croatia found that the efficacy of ALM remains high in real-world clinical practice. Despite 84.1% of participants experiencing adverse events, no new safety signals were identified.