Ocrelizumab Demonstrates Efficacy in Relapsing MS

Ocrelizumab is an investigational humanized antibody that selectively targets CD20 B cells. For this phase II, industry-sponsored trial, researchers randomized 220 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) to receive placebo, 600 mg of ocrelizumab, 2000 mg of ocrelizumab, or weekly interferon beta-1a for 24 weeks. After the week-24 visit, all participants received open-label ocrelizumab (at different doses) and were followed through 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the reduction of gadolinium-enhancing (GdE) lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Secondary endpoints included relapse rates and freedom from relapse. Ocrelizumab was administered as two infusions, spaced 2 weeks apart, repeated every 6 months.

Of those ra…