Ashish Pradhan, MD, Executive Director and Disease Area Lead at Genentech, discusses subgroup analysis data of 2-hour ocrelizumab infusions for the treatment of minority group members with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). This data was presented at the 37th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS).
RMS and PPMS are two of four types of multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease in which symptoms may occur in isolated attacks (in relapsing types) or build up over time (in progressive types). RMS is characterized by unpredictable relapses followed by periods of months to years of remission with no new signs of disease activity. PPMS is characterized by disability progression, with no, or only occasional and minor, remissions and improvements.
As Dr. Pradhan explains, subgroup analysis data was presented from three clinical trials evaluating shorter, 2-hour infusions of ocrelizumab in RMS and PPMS patients (NCT03606460, NCT02637856, and NCT03085810). Patients in these subgroups included Black, African American, Hispanic, and/or Latino patients with RMS or PPMS. An analysis was done because these patient populations may experience greater disease severity and faster progression. Fortunately, when treated with a shorter 2-hour ocrelizumab infusion, the rate and severity of infusion-related reactions in Black, African-American, Hispanic and Latino populations were similar to those reported in the overall patient population.
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Reference
Genentech [news release]. New Data up to 8-Years for Genentech’s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) Show Early and Ongoing Treatment Significantly Reduced Risk of Requiring a Walking Aid in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis and Disability Progression in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. October 12, 2021. https://www.gene.com/media/press-releases/14932/2021-10-12/new-data-up-to-8-years-for-genentechs-oc