Alemtuzumab is a recently licensed monoclonal antibody directed against the CD52 antigen on lymphocytes. The efficacy of alemtuzumab has been established in phase II and III studies for RRMS, with spectacular reduction in relapse rates, although the disability reduction was better in the Phase II studies, where a reversal of disability was noted. Clearly, alemutuzumab is quiet effective, with beneficial effects most evident in patients with active disease. The fact that the drug may need to be administered once or twice in a lifetime has appeal and it has the potential to further alter the MS landscape.
In an upcoming issue of JNNP (Online first), Professor Coles’ group reports on the longer-term experience of the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in active RRMS. As with trials, there were impressive reductions in disability accumulation and relapse rates, with majority of active RRMS patients stabilizing. Furthermore, alemutuzumab appeared safe, with autoimmune thyroid disease the major side-effect.
Read more on this back to the future medication at: http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/early/2014/05/21/jnnp-2014-307721.abstract
- Multiple sclerosis
- Research paper