Evobrutinib Effectively Reduces Blood NfL Levels in Patients With Relapsing MS

Among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment with evobrutinib, a Bruton’s tyroskine kinase inhibitor, significantly lowered blood neurofilament light chain (Nfl) levels within 12 weeks, with effect sustained for 24 weeks, according to study results presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), held October 25-28, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.

A phase 2 trial showed treatment with evobrutinib reduced T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions over 24 weeks in patients with relapsing MS and the treatment effect was maintained up to 48 weeks. The current post-hoc analysis aimed at assessing the effect of evobrutinib on blood Nfl level, a biomarker of neuroaxonal damage in MS.

The study included 267 patients with MS randomized to receive placebo, evobrutinib 25 mg once daily, evobrutinib 75 mg once daily, or evobrutinib 75 mg twice daily. Of these, 166 patients had Nfl measurement in samples from baseline and at week 4, 12, or 24.

Compared with placebo, treatment with evobrutinib 75 mg twice daily was associated with a relative reduction of Nfl levels of 18.9% (P =.010) and 16.8% (P =.040) at weeks 12 and 24, respectively.  Treatment with evobrutinib 75 mg once daily was associated with relative reductions of 15.4% (P =.043) and 14.1% (P =.10) at weeks 12 and 24, respectively. 

No difference was found between evobrutinib 25 mg once daily and placebo when it came to lowering blood Nfl levels.

“Evobrutinib 75 mg bid significantly lowers blood Nfl levels as early as week 12, with reduced levels maintained until 24 weeks, indicating evobrutinib has a beneficial effect on reducing neuro-axonal damage in MS,” concluded the researchers.

Disclosure: Some study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures. 

Reference

Kuhle J, Kappos L, Montalban X, et al. The effect of evobrutinib, a Bruton’s kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on blood neurofilament light chain levels in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Presented at: CMSC 2021 Annual Meeting; October 25-28, 2021; Orlando, Florida. Abstract NIB01.