%0 Journal Article
%A Comi, Giancarlo
%A Alroughani, Raed
%A Boster, Aaron L
%A Bass, Ann D
%A Berkovich, Regina
%A Fernández, Óscar
%A Kim, Ho Jin
%A Limmroth, Volker
%A Lycke, Jan
%A Macdonell, Richard Al
%A Sharrack, Basil
%A Singer, Barry A
%A Vermersch, Patrick
%A Wiendl, Heinz
%A Ziemssen, Tjalf
%A Jacobs, Alan
%A Daizadeh, Nadia
%A Rodriguez, Claudio E
%A Traboulsee, Anthony
%A CARE-MS I, CARE-MS II, CAMMS03409, and TOPAZ Investigators
%T Efficacy of alemtuzumab in relapsing-remitting MS patients who received additional courses after the initial two courses: Pooled analysis of the CARE-MS, extension, and TOPAZ studies.
%D 2019
%U http://hdl.handle.net/10668/14739
%X Alemtuzumab is given as two annual courses. Patients with continued disease activity may receive as-needed additional courses. To evaluate efficacy and safety of additional alemtuzumab courses in the CARE-MS (Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif® Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis) studies and their extensions. Subgroups were based on the number of additional alemtuzumab courses received. Exclusion criteria: other disease-modifying therapy (DMT);  In the additional-courses groups, Courses 3 and 4 reduced annualized relapse rate (12 months before: 0.73 and 0.74, respectively; 12 months after: 0.07 and 0.08). For 36 months after Courses 3 and 4, 89% and 92% of patients were free of 6-month confirmed disability worsening, respectively, with 20% and 26% achieving 6-month confirmed disability improvement. Freedom from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity increased after Courses 3 and 4 (12 months before: 43% and 53%, respectively; 12 months after: 73% and 74%). Safety was similar across groups; serious events occurred irrespective of the number of courses. Additional alemtuzumab courses significantly improved outcomes, without increased safety risks, in CARE-MS patients with continued disease activity after Course 2. How this compares to outcomes if treatment is switched to another DMT instead remains unknown.
%K Alemtuzumab
%K efficacy
%K multiple sclerosis
%K relapse
%K retreatment
%K safety
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