Ocrelizumab Subcutaneous Injection Shows Near-Complete Suppression of MS Relapses and Lesions
Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus; Roche), a twice-yearly 10-minute subcutaneous injection, has demonstrated near-complete suppression of clinical relapses and brain lesions for individuals with relapsing or primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), further reinforcing the benefits of the drug.
The data were presented at the 76th American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado.
Rapid and Sustained B-Cell Depletion
Treatment with ocrelizumab showed a rapid and sustained B-cell depletion in the blood, according to a press release by Roche. This depletion is believed to be responsible for the drug’s efficacy in suppressing MS disease activity.
Clinical Efficacy
In the updated longer-term results, ocrelizumab subcutaneous injection showed that 97.2% of individuals had no relapse during the treatment phase and magnetic resonance imaging up to 48 weeks with an absolute risk reduction of 0.04. Further, most patients had no T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions, a marker of active inflammation, and no new or enlarging T2 lesions, a marker of burden of disease.
“Updated results from OCARINA II further underline the potential benefits of subcutaneous [ocrelizumab] for patients with both relapsing and progressive forms of MS,” said Scott Newsome, DO, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Patients treated with subcutaneous [ocrelizumab] experienced appropriate B-cell suppression and impressive near-complete suppression of new inflammatory disease activity.”
Safety and Tolerability
Ocrelizumab was consistent with the well-established safety profile of ocrelizumab as an intravenous infusion, with no new safety signals identified. The most common adverse events (AEs) included injection site reaction, erythema, pain, swelling, and pruritus, according to the press release. All were mild or moderate, and none led to treatment withdrawal.
Conclusion
The results of the OCARINA II study suggest that ocrelizumab subcutaneous injection is a safe and effective treatment for individuals with relapsing or primary progressive MS. The drug’s rapid and sustained B-cell depletion, combined with its near-complete suppression of disease activity, make it a promising new treatment option for people living with MS.
