In an observational study, superior results were apparent in children when using therapies found highly effective in adults.
Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) can be associated with severe inflammation and high relapse and MRI activity (NEJM JW Neurol Aug 2019 and Brain 2019; 142:2276). To investigate benefits of high-efficacy therapies in pediatric patients, investigators conducted this multicenter, retrospective study. Included were 530 children with MS with median follow-up of 5.8 years. High-efficacy therapy (HET) was defined as monoclonal antibodies, fingolimod, and mitoxantrone.
HET was used as initial therapy in 20.4% of patients. Compared with moderate-efficacy therapies, HET was associated with a 54% lower rate of first relapse, a 66% reduction in MRI activity, and an 83% reduction in discontinuation. Confirmed disability worsening was low overall at 16% …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)