07 May Multiple Sclerosis: Extended Dosing of Natalizumab Reduces Risk of PML
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Zhovtis Ryserson
Lana Zhovtis Ryserson, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
NYU Langone Health
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Natalizumab is an effective therapy of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis dosed at 300mg every 4 weeks. However it is associated with a potentially deadly infection – progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In order to mitigate this risk, clinicians have adopted an approach of infusing the medication less frequently, a strategy which has become known as Extended Interval Dosing (EID).
The TOUCH database is US mandatated risk evaluation and mitigation program which is the largest database available to assess PML risk for patients on EID schedule. Previous analysis of this database in 2017, showed a significant risk reduction of PML in patients utilizing extended interval dosing schedule. The aim of the current study was to update on this analysis with another year of data.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The results of this study reinforce the finding that patients treated on extended interval dosing schedule have significantly lower risk of PML than patients who remain on standard interval dosing.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: This study can not offer information efficacy of Natalizumab dosed at extended interval dosing schedule since efficacy data is not captured in the TOUCH database. There is now an ongoing randomized control trial which will help inform on whether the efficacy of Natalizumab is maintained on EID schedule.
This study was supported by Biogen
Citation:
Reduced risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with natalizumab extended interval dosing (EID): updated analysis of the TOUCH® Prescribing Program database
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Last Updated on May 7, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD