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| The following article is part of conference coverage from the 34th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Berlin, Germany. 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 ECTRIMS 2018. |
For patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, cladribine tablets reduced the number of severe relapses over a 2-year period, according to a study presented at the 34th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, October 10-12, 2018, in Berlin, Germany.
Researchers in this post hoc analysis evaluated data from the CLARITY study to test the efficacy of cladribine tablets (3.5 mg/kg) on frequency and severity of relapses for patients with multiple sclerosis. The study consisted of 433 patients who received the cladribine tablets and 437 patients who received a placebo. Qualifying relapses were based on the Kurtzke Functional Score status, and the relapse relative risk was calculated at 24, 48, and 96 weeks.
At all 3 time points, the qualifying relapse relative risk was lower for the cladribine tablet group (P <.0001), and at 96 weeks, the relative risk for all relapses was 0.43 (95% CI, 0.37-0.51; P =.0001). The cladribine tablet group had a risk reduction in relapses requiring hospitalization (63%) or steroids (62%) by week 96. Covariates of age at diagnosis and prior use of disease-modifying drugs had a significant impact on relapses (P =.0011 and P =.0002, respectively).
The researchers concluded that the risk for relapses in the cladribine tablet group “was consistently and significantly lower” and that treatment with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg showed strong efficacy vs placebo over 2 years in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Disclosures: This study was supported by EMD Serono, the producers of cladribine tablets. Please refer to reference for a complete list of authors’ disclosures.
For more coverage of ECTRIMS 2018, click here.
Reference
Schippling S, et al. CLARITY: an analysis of severity and frequency of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with cladribine tablets or placebo. Presented at: 34th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. October 10-12, 2018; Berlin, Germany. Abstract P549.
