Relapse Outcomes with Alemtuzumab vs. Rebif(R) in Treatment-Naive Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS I): Secondary and Tertiary Endpoints (PD5.004) (2012)

Objective: Compare alemtuzumab and subcutaneous interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a) on relapse outcomes from a phase 3 trial in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Background Over 2 years, alemtuzumab reduced the rate of relapse by 55% compared with IFNB-1a (p Design/Methods: CARE-MS I was a 2-year, randomized, rater-blinded, global trial comparing the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab to subcutaneous IFNB-1a in active, treatment-naive RRMS patients. Alemtuzumab treatment was 12mg/day intravenously for 5 days at study start and 3 days one year later. IFNB-1a treatment was 44mcg SC 3-times weekly for 24 months. Relapse rate was a co-primary endpoint. Relapse events were required to last at least 48 hours, required objective signs on exam as assessed by blinded raters, and were adjudicated by an independent relapse adjudication committee. Results: Annualized relapse rate was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.23) for alemtuzumab-treated patients compared with 0.39 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.53) for IFNB-1a-treated patients (55% reduction, p Conclusions: Alemtuzumab significantly reduces relapses in RRMS patients compared with high-dose, high-frequency IFNB-1a. These results suggest the potential for alemtuzumab to be a meaningful addition to treatment options for RRMS, if approved. Supported by: Genzyme, a Sanofi company and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. Disclosure: Dr. Fox has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Genzyme Corporation, Novartis, Opexa Therapeutics, Pfizer Inc, and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Fox has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neura. Dr. Fox has received research support from Biogen Idec, Eli Lilly & Company, EMD Serono, Genzyme Corporation, Novartis, Ono Pharmaceutical, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Arnold has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Healthcare, Biogen Idec, Genentech, Inc., NeuroRx Research, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Schering, Serono, Inc., and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Arnold Dr. Arnold has received research support from Bayer Healthcare, Biogen Idec, Genentech, Inc., NeuroRx Research, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Schering, Serono, Inc., and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Brinar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cohen has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Eli Lilly & Company, Novartis, and Vaccinex. Dr. Cohen has received research support for activities with Biogen Idec, BioMS, Genzyme Corporation, Novartis, Synthon, and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Coles has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., and Merck Serono as a consultant and/or speaker. Dr. Coles has received research support from Genzyme Corportation. Dr. Confavruex has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Dompe, Biogen Idec, Gemacbio, Genzyme Corporation, Hertie Foundation, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, UCB Pharma, Bayer Schering, and Merck Serono. Dr. Confavruex has received research support from Bayer Schering, Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Giovannoni has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer-Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Biogen Idec, Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc, Genzyme Corporation, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Merck Serono, Novartis, Teva Neuroscience, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Vertex Pharmaceuticals as a speaker, consultant and/or serving on data monitoring boards. Dr. Hartung has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Biogen Idec, BioMS, Genzyme Corporation, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Teva as a speaker and/or consultant. Dr. Havrodova has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Biogen Idec, Genzyme Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., Novartis, Merck, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Serono, Inc., and Teva as consultant, speaker and/or advisory board participant. Dr. Selmaj has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme, Ono, and Biogen Idec. Dr. Stojanovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Weiner has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Novartis, Serono, Inc., Teva Neurosciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Nasvax, Xenoport and Genzyme Corporation as consulting and/or speaking activities. Dr. Weiner has received research support from Merck Serono. Dr. Lake has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme as an employee. Dr. Margolin has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme Corporation as an employee. Dr. Panzara has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee.Dr. Panzara holds stock and/or stock options in Biogen Idec. Dr. Compston has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme Corporation as a speaker. Dr. Compston has received research support from Genzyme Corporation.