Real-World Results of Ocrelizumab Treatment for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Recently, ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) was approved for the treatment of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) based on data from the ORATORIO clinical trial. Real-world data about the clinical effectiveness of ocrelizumab has yet to be gathered.

The aim of this study was to provide data about the clinical effectiveness of ocrelizumab for patients diagnosed with PPMS in a real-world setting.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with PPMS who started ocrelizumab treatment (n = 21) in St. Antonius Hospital (Utrecht/Nieuwegein, the Netherlands) between April 2018 and December 31, 2018. Primary outcome was pre- versus post-ocrelizumab disability worsening rate (from 96 weeks prior to first ocrelizumab administration up to 24 weeks post first ocrelizumab administration).

Disability worsening rate while on treatment significantly differed (lower) from disability worsening rate in pre-treatment period (Z = -2.81, p ≤ .01). Three out of 17 patients showed a clinically relevant improvement in disability status after treatment start.

Ocrelizumab can stabilize disability progression in patients with PPMS. Some patients even showed a clinically relevant improvement in disability status. Further research should help to identify which patients benefit most from ocrelizumab.