First Licensing of Therapy for Pediatric MS

Fingolimod was superior to interferon beta-1a in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis in a randomized, controlled trial.

About 3% to 5% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are diagnosed before age 18, termed pediatric MS. Fingolimod (an oral sphingospine-1-phosphate receptor modulator that blocks lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes, causing immunosuppression) is a disease-modifying therapy used in adults with relapsing MS. A new study now establishes the efficacy of fingolimod in pediatric MS.

In this manufacturer-sponsored, phase III, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, active-control, parallel-group trial, 215 children aged 10 to 17 years (mean age, 15.3; 62.3% female; median disease duration, 1.5 years; 63.3% treatment-naive) from 25 countries were randomly assigned to fingolimod or interferon beta-1a and followed for up to 2 years.

Median treatment tim…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey M. Gelfand, MD, MAS, FAAN

Disclosures

12/1/14I recently attended a trial investigator meeting as a sub-investigator for a clinical trial sponsored by Medimmune.

Jeffrey M. Gelfand, MD, MAS, FAAN

Disclosures

12/1/14I recently attended a trial investigator meeting as a sub-investigator for a clinical trial sponsored by Medimmune.

First Licensing of Therapy for Pediatric MS

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Reviewing Author