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| The following article is part of live conference coverage from the 2018 ACTRIMS Forum in San Diego, California. Neurology Advisor’s staff will be reporting breaking news associated with research conducted by leading experts in neurology. Check back for the latest news from ACTRIMS 2018. |
Findings from a post hoc analysis presented at ACTRIMS Forum 2018, in San Diego, California, showed that subcutaneous (SC) interferon β-1a (IFN β-1a) was effective in delaying 6-month confirmed disability progression (CDP) compared with placebo in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
CDP serves as a measure of sustained increase in disability for patients with MS. Previously, the PRISMS-2 (Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon β-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis) Study evaluated 3-month CDP in patients treated with SC IFN β-1a and placebo.
For this analysis, however, study researchers sought to examine 6-month CDP at 96 weeks in patients with relapsing-remitting MS from the PRISMS-2 study. The intent-to-treat population included 184 patients randomly assigned to IFN β-1a 44 µg and 187 patients assigned to placebo 3 times weekly for 2 years. Researchers defined 6-month CDP as an increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of ≥1.5 if baseline EDSS was 0, or a score of ≥1.0 if baseline EDSS was ≥0.5, sustained during 2 consecutive visits for at least 6 months (≥166 days).
Study patients were categorized into 1 of 3 groups at 96 weeks: no EDSS progression, ≥1 confirmed EDSS progression, or unknown progression, which referred to those with no progression but who withdrew from the study before 83 weeks. Hazard ratios for the time to 6-month sustained change in EDSS score were calculated.
The data showed that a higher proportion of patients treated with IFN β-1a were free from 6-month CDP at 96 weeks vs placebo (54.3% vs 36.4%). Unknown progression was documented in 2.2% of patients in the IFN β-1a group and 3.7% in the placebo group.
There were also fewer cumulative events of 6-month CDP with IFN β-1a (43%) vs placebo (60%). Moreover, treatment with IFN β-1a demonstrated a 33% decrease in the risk for 6-month CDP when compared with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90; P =.0068).
Based on the analysis of PRISMS-2 study patients, the investigators concluded that IFN β-1a 44 µg 3 times weekly effectively slowed 6-month CDP vs placebo.
For more coverage of ACTRIMS Forum 2018, click here.
Reference:
Wong SL, Aldridge J, Hettle R, et al. Analysis of 6-month confirmed disability progression in RRMS patients treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a. Presented at: ACTRIMS Forum 2018; February 1-3, 2018; San Diego, CA. Abstract P047.
