The History of B cell depletion in PPMS

Hawker K, O'Connor P, Freedman MS, Calabresi PA, Antel J, Simon J, Hauser S, Waubant E, Vollmer T, Panitch H, Zhang J, Chin P,Smith CH; OLYMPUS trial group.Rituximab in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis: results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter trial.Ann Neurol. 2009;66(4):460-71.

OBJECTIVE: Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody selectively depleting CD20+ B cells, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated rituximab in adults with primary progressive MS(PPMS) through 96 weeks and safety through 122 weeks.
METHODS: Using 2:1 randomization, 439 PPMS patients received two 1,000 mg intravenous rituximab or placebo infusions every 24 weeks, through 96 weeks (4 courses). The primary endpoint was time to confirmed disease progression (CDP), a prespecified increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale sustained for 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints were change from baseline to week 96 in T2 lesion volume and total brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging scans.
RESULTS: Differences in time to CDP between rituximab and placebo did not reach significance (96-week rates: 38.5% placebo, 30.2% rituximab; p = 0.14). From baseline to week 96, rituximab patients had less (p < 0.001) increase in T2 lesion volume; brain volume change was similar (p = 0.62) to placebo. 


Subgroup analysis showed time to CDP was delayed in rituximab-treated patients aged <51 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.52; p = 0.010), those with gadolinium-enhancing lesions (HR = 0.41; p = 0.007), and those aged <51 years with gadolinium-enhancing lesions (HR = 0.33; p = 0.009) compared with placebo. 

Adverse events were comparable between groups; 16.1% of rituximab and 13.6% of placebo patients reported serious events. Serious infections occurred in 4.5% of rituximab and <1.0% of placebo patients. Infusion-related events, predominantly mild to moderate, were more common with rituximab during the first course, and decreased to rates comparable to placebo on successive courses.
INTERPRETATION: Although time to CDP between groups was not significant, overall subgroup analyses suggest selective B-cell depletion may affect disease progression in younger patients, particularly those with inflammatory lesions.
Current Ocrelizumab trial

Ages Eligible for Study: 18-55 Years 
(responder population)
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3 to 6.5 points
(Early MS so capable of responding and in the time frame when progression is most rapid i.e. between EDSS 4-6) so change in the placebo arm can be seen. How many other trials have started past this point when it is change is slow.
Disease duration from onset of MS symptoms < 15 years if EDSS > 5.0, < 10 years if EDSS >/= 5.0 (Shortish duration)

Exclusion Criteria:
History of progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis at screening.


The inclusion criteria are not that different from the failed fingolimod primary progressive trial.

We only have to wait a couple of weeks to find out if every one benefitted of if it was the gadolinium-enhancing subgroup that will be enriched in people in this trial.

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