CHAMPS 383 patients with very recent (27 days) CIS involving the optic nerve. Patients had to have 2 or more clinically silent lesions at least 3 mm in diameter, one ovoid or periventricular. Conversion to CDMS was a new event lasting at least 48 hours or deterioration of at least 1.5 points on the EDSS. All patients got three day Solumedrol pulse with taper at onset of study. Study was terminated after a positive interim analysis. Mean followup was 31 months. With interferon B1a (Avonex) the likelihood of developing MS was reduced 44 % (p<0.002). Posthoc analysis looked at high and low risk groups. The probability of CDMS in patients getting placebo was 50 %, 64 % in a high risk group (n=40) and 46 % in non high risk group (n=150). High risk was defined as nine or more lesions on T2 or one or more Gadolinium enhancing lesions. Only 20 % of Avonex group had CDMS at two years. Avonex reduced CDMS by 63 % at year 2, and 66 % by year 3. NTT=6.7 to prevent one patient from developing CDMS. Critiques: questionable blinding by treating physicians who followed side effects of patients. Disability and relapse rate were not applicable as points of study. No information is given on brain atrophy. AE's-- flu like reaction was 54 %, depression 20 % (v. 26, and 13 % respectively). Patients withdrawn from study did not get f/u scans. Chance of getting CDMS or dropping out was 64 % in placebo group, 51 % in active group. Class I study, category A.
The extension trial open label CHAMPIONS the original patients were all given Avonex (early and delayed treatment groups). N of the groups was 100, 103 , respectively. Thus slightly more than half the patients entered CHAMPIONS and they were treated UP TO five years (ie. not all made it that long). In the 2 groups, the respective rate of CDMS was 36 and 48 %. The rate of CDMS was decreased by 35 % in the immediate treatment group (looking at numbers could be 25 %). The NTT was 8 to treat early to prevent CDMS at five years. The mean number of relapses over five years was .9 and 1.7, respectively. The median number of T2 lesions was 3.5 and 6.0 respectively.
ETOMS studied Rebif in patients with unifocal or multifocal neurologic syndromes. Patients had at least 4 lesions on T2, or 3 if one was incfratentorial or enhancing. The primary measure was conversion to CDMS. Initial steroids were not given uniformly. Entry was allowed up to three months post event, and polysymptomatic patients were included. 39 % were in fact multifocal. The primary endpoint was conversion to CDMS. Like CHAMPS, effect of treating physician blinidng was criticized. There were 309 patients, 154 in each group and one patient thrown out). In the Rebif group, 34 % converted to CDMS and in the placebo group, 45 % converted at two years. The benefit was about 25 %, with NTT at 9.1 to prevent one CDMS at 2 years. The relapse rates were .33 and .43, respectively. The median number of active T2 lesions was 2 and 3, respectively.Actual data, percent, for placebo and rebif group, respectively: proportion converting to CDMS 45, 34; mean annual relapse rate: .43, .33 {Note: this is much lower than in pivotal betaseron trial}; median EDSS change to year 2: 0,0; median SNRS baseline to year 2: 0,0; median active T2 lesions per scan: 3,2; median enhancing lesions per scan: 0, 0.5; median change in T2 lesion volume from baseline to year 2: 8.8; -13.0. Class I study, Category A.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Meta-analysis favors glatiramer
Carra A. P635 ECTRIMS 2004. Odds ratio for relapse, disability progression favors glatiramer over interferon groups.
Based on pooled data of four open nonrandomized trials. Patients n= 695 with 135 patients on GA having less relapses and accumulated disability.
Based on pooled data of four open nonrandomized trials. Patients n= 695 with 135 patients on GA having less relapses and accumulated disability.
"Inflammation is Good"
On the horizon: possible neuroprotective role for glatiramer acetate. Kreitman RR and Blanchette F. Multiple sclerosis 2004. 10: S81-S89.
This non peer reviewed Teva sponsored article reviews evidence that disability in MS is caused by axonal damage, not inflammation, and that autoimmune T cells may protect against neuronal damage.
Paper has a nice discussion with lots of experts but no new data presented
This non peer reviewed Teva sponsored article reviews evidence that disability in MS is caused by axonal damage, not inflammation, and that autoimmune T cells may protect against neuronal damage.
Paper has a nice discussion with lots of experts but no new data presented
PRISMS-4
PRISMS-4: Long-term efficacy of interferon B1a in relapsing MS. The PRISMS Study Group Neurology 2001:56:1628-1636
Have 2 years double blind and another 2 years of dose blind assessment.Placeo patients at end of frist two years were rerandmoized to rebif 22 or rebif 44
90% of patients continued to PRISMS 4 . Relapse rate, time to first relapse, time to progression of disability all favored high dose rebif and initial treatment wih high dose rebif. High dose was associated with 29% fewer 1 point edss changes over 4 years compared to crossover. Time to EDSS progression was not significant in low dose rebif in ITT analysis.
Lab changes (liver, CBC) were also more common in high dose group .
Burden of disease increased in years 3 and 4 for high dose group.
Have 2 years double blind and another 2 years of dose blind assessment.Placeo patients at end of frist two years were rerandmoized to rebif 22 or rebif 44
90% of patients continued to PRISMS 4 . Relapse rate, time to first relapse, time to progression of disability all favored high dose rebif and initial treatment wih high dose rebif. High dose was associated with 29% fewer 1 point edss changes over 4 years compared to crossover. Time to EDSS progression was not significant in low dose rebif in ITT analysis.
Lab changes (liver, CBC) were also more common in high dose group .
Burden of disease increased in years 3 and 4 for high dose group.
multiple sclerosis compare interferons
Etemadifar M et al. Comparison of Betaferon, Avonex and Rebif in treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis Acta Neurol Scand 2006 1113:283-287
Head to head trial single blind randomized trial of rrms patients with active disease (>2 relapses in 2 years) and EDSS < 5. 90 patients. Design was to see which agent is best to prevent progression of MS.
High dose agents were better than avonex on number of patients who were relapse free for two years (B 43 %, R 56% A 20%). EDSS declined more with high dose than with Avonex. However, looking at table 3, all three groups had mean EDSS under 2.
Conclusion in the paper that high dose is better is contradicted by the clinical effect size, as all three drugs had low EDSS at conclusion of the trial.
Head to head trial single blind randomized trial of rrms patients with active disease (>2 relapses in 2 years) and EDSS < 5. 90 patients. Design was to see which agent is best to prevent progression of MS.
High dose agents were better than avonex on number of patients who were relapse free for two years (B 43 %, R 56% A 20%). EDSS declined more with high dose than with Avonex. However, looking at table 3, all three groups had mean EDSS under 2.
Conclusion in the paper that high dose is better is contradicted by the clinical effect size, as all three drugs had low EDSS at conclusion of the trial.
Lit review by Doug Goodin/Coyle
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/6005
this CME program goes over evidence based medicine, treatment of CIS, and disease nonresponders in slide based format with either audio or transcript of lecture
this CME program goes over evidence based medicine, treatment of CIS, and disease nonresponders in slide based format with either audio or transcript of lecture
Friday, October 20, 2006
Trials of extension trials PRISMS
neurology practice guidelines: "Extension trials-- limited benefit
Noseworthy JH How much can we learn from long-term extension trials in multiple sclerosis? Neurology 2006; 67: 930-931 editorial
comments on Kappos et al. Long term interferon beta 1a therapy in patients with relapsing MSNeurology 67: 944-953 2006
32 % patients randomized in PRISMS did not participate in the extension. Blinding was eliminated. Visits were in some cases conducted every two years or retrospecive evaluations were substituted. About 25 % patients entering extension did not remain on treatment. Brain atrophy was not reduced. The NTT (number to treat) early v 24 months later to prevent one point progression on EDSS was 27. Conclusion of safety is warranted, not that of efficacy.
Kappos et al-- 382 patients followed 8 years. 19 % progressed to spms. NABS generally disappeared with treatment. The authors claim 44 dose worked better than 22. 396/560 patients had EDSS < 3 at baseline; of those, 27 % went to EDSS of 4, 20 % went to an EDSS of six, 12 % to 6.5, and 6 % to edss of 7.
Relapse rate was about .61 per patient per year in treated patients."
Noseworthy JH How much can we learn from long-term extension trials in multiple sclerosis? Neurology 2006; 67: 930-931 editorial
comments on Kappos et al. Long term interferon beta 1a therapy in patients with relapsing MSNeurology 67: 944-953 2006
32 % patients randomized in PRISMS did not participate in the extension. Blinding was eliminated. Visits were in some cases conducted every two years or retrospecive evaluations were substituted. About 25 % patients entering extension did not remain on treatment. Brain atrophy was not reduced. The NTT (number to treat) early v 24 months later to prevent one point progression on EDSS was 27. Conclusion of safety is warranted, not that of efficacy.
Kappos et al-- 382 patients followed 8 years. 19 % progressed to spms. NABS generally disappeared with treatment. The authors claim 44 dose worked better than 22. 396/560 patients had EDSS < 3 at baseline; of those, 27 % went to EDSS of 4, 20 % went to an EDSS of six, 12 % to 6.5, and 6 % to edss of 7.
Relapse rate was about .61 per patient per year in treated patients."
Monday, September 25, 2006
Cytoxan for refractory MS high dose
Gladstone et al. High dose cyclophosphamide for moderate to severe refractory multiple sclerosis.Arch Neurol 63:10: 1388-1397
Patient selection: EDSS > 3.5 after 2 or more DMD's tried
Methods: 200/mg/kg cyclophosphamide over four days
Outcome measures : MRI neuroopthy exams every six months, EDSS quarterly, QOL measure every two years
Results: 12 patients followed median 16 months none increased EDSS more than 1 point. 5 decreased. Improvements were seen in QOL measure and MRI
Fine points
Mesna, forced diuresis to prevent hemorhhagic cystitis. Antibacterial, antifungal, anti viral prophylaxis used. Patients had median age 41, had disease median 15 years, 7 had tried mitoxantrone. 7/13 had spms. risk of hem cystitis is 2 percent, of transient dilated cardiomyopathy is 1 percent.. Fever, sepsis, zoster were common.
Note medline "Gladstone " for cyclophosphamide in MS CIDP MG
Patient selection: EDSS > 3.5 after 2 or more DMD's tried
Methods: 200/mg/kg cyclophosphamide over four days
Outcome measures : MRI neuroopthy exams every six months, EDSS quarterly, QOL measure every two years
Results: 12 patients followed median 16 months none increased EDSS more than 1 point. 5 decreased. Improvements were seen in QOL measure and MRI
Fine points
Mesna, forced diuresis to prevent hemorhhagic cystitis. Antibacterial, antifungal, anti viral prophylaxis used. Patients had median age 41, had disease median 15 years, 7 had tried mitoxantrone. 7/13 had spms. risk of hem cystitis is 2 percent, of transient dilated cardiomyopathy is 1 percent.. Fever, sepsis, zoster were common.
Note medline "Gladstone " for cyclophosphamide in MS CIDP MG
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