Real-world evidence for cladribine tablets in multiple sclerosis: further insights into efficacy and safety

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Tobias Moser - , Paracelsus Private Medical University (Author)
  • Tjalf Ziemssen - , Department of Neurology, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Center of Clinical Neuroscience, University Vascular Centre, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (Author)
  • Johann Sellner - , Paracelsus Private Medical University (Author)

Abstract

Cladribine (CLAD) is a purine nucleoside analog approved in tablet form to treat highly active multiple sclerosis (MS). CLAD tablets are the first oral therapy with an infrequent dosing schedule, administered in two annual treatment courses, each divided into two treatment cycles comprising 4-5 days of treatment. The efficacy and safety of CLAD tablets have been verified in randomized controlled clinical trials. Clinical observational studies are performed in more representative populations and over more extended periods, and thus provide valuable complementary insights. Here, we summarize the available evidence for CLAD tablets from post-marketing trials, including two observational, four long-term extensions, and two comparative studies. The patients in the post-marketing setting differed from the cohort recruited in the pivotal phase III trials regarding demographics and MS-related disability. The limited number of studies with small cohorts corroborate the disease-modifying capacity of oral CLAD and report on a durable benefit after active treatment periods. Skin-related adverse events were common in the studies focusing on safety aspects. In addition, single cases of CLAD-associated autoimmune events have been reported. Lastly, CLAD tablets appear safe regarding COVID-19 concerns, and patients mount a robust humoral immune response to SARS-CoV‑2 vaccination. We conclude that the current real-world evidence for CLAD tablets as immune reconstitution therapy for treatment of MS is based on a small number of studies and a population distinct from the cohorts randomized in the pivotal phase III trials. Further research should advance the understanding of long-term disease control after active treatment periods and the mitigation of adverse events.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)365-372
Number of pages8
JournalWiener medizinische Wochenschrift : WMW
Volume172
Issue number15-16
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC9026047
Scopus 85128726612
ORCID /0000-0001-8799-8202/work/171553561

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccines, Cladribine/adverse effects, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/chemically induced, Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy, Nucleosides/therapeutic use, SARS-CoV-2, Tablets/therapeutic use

Library keywords