comparison of alemtuzumab and rebif® efficacy in multiple sclerosis, study one

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting

Summary: the purpose of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab (lemtrada™) as a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (ms), in comparison with subcutaneous (sc) interferon beta-1a (rebif®). the study had enrolled participants who had not previously received ms disease-modifying therapies. participants had monthly laboratory tests and comprehensive testing every 3 months.

every participant had received active treatment; there was no placebo. participants who qualified were randomly assigned to treatment with either alemtuzumab or sc interferon beta-1a at a 2:1 ratio (that is, 2 given alemtuzumab for every 1 given interferon beta-1a). alemtuzumab was administered in two annual courses, once at the beginning of the study and again 1 year later. interferon beta-1a was self-injected 3 times per week for 2 years. all participants were required to return to their study site every 3 months for neurologic assessment. in addition, safety-related laboratory tests were performed at least monthly. participation in this study ended 2 years after the start of treatment for each participant. additionally, participants who received alemtuzumab might be followed in camms03409 (nct00930553) an extension study for safety and efficacy assessments. participants who received interferon beta-1a and completed 2 years on study might be eligible to receive alemtuzumab on the extension study.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * given written/signed informed consent * age 18 to 50 years old (inclusive) as of the date the informed consent form (icf) was signed * diagnosis of ms per updated mcdonald criteria, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (mri) scan demonstrating white matter lesions attributable to ms within 5 years of screening * onset of ms symptoms (as determined by a neurologist, either at screening or retrospectively) within 5 years of the date the icf was signed * expanded disability status scale (edss) score 0.0 to 3.0 (inclusive) at screening * greater than or equal to (\>=) 2 ms attacks (first episode or relapse) occurring in the 24 months prior to the date the icf was signed, with \>=1 attack in the 12 months prior to the date the icf was signed, with objective neurological signs confirmed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other genzyme-approved health-care provider and the objective signs could be identified retrospectively exclusion criteria: * received prior therapy for ms other than corticosteroids, for example, alemtuzumab, interferons, intravenous immunoglobulin, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, and mitoxantrone * exposure to azathioprine, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine a, methotrexate, or any other immunosuppressive agent other than systemic corticosteroid treatment * any progressive form of ms * history of malignancy (except basal skin cell carcinoma) * cd4 + , cd8 + count, b cell, or absolute neutrophil count less than (\<) lower limit of normal (lln) at screening * known bleeding disorder (for example, dysfibrinogenemia, factor ix deficiency, hemophilia, von willebrand's disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation, fibrinogen deficiency, or clotting factor deficiency) * significant autoimmune disease including but not limited to immune cytopenias, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, other connective tissue disorders, vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe psoriasis * presence of anti-thyroid stimulating hormone (tsh) receptor (tshr) antibodies (that is, above the lln) * active infection or at high risk for infection

Keywords: multiple sclerosis