Teriflunomide Demonstrates Efficacy in Relapsing MS

Teriflunomide is an oral anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits pyrimidine synthesis, thereby reducing both T-cell and B-cell activation and proliferation. For this phase III, industry-sponsored trial, researchers randomized 1088 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) to receive placebo, 7 mg of teriflunomide, or 14 mg of teriflunomide for 108 weeks.

A total of 73% of patients completed the trial, with similar proportions in each study arm. The annualized relapse rate was reduced by 31% compared with placebo in both treatment arms (0.37 for either dosage vs. 0.54). Disability progression was 27% with placebo, 22% with teriflunomide 7 mg (P=0.08), and 20% with teriflunomide 14 mg (P=0.03). Adverse effects included diarrhea (high dose,…