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Published on: June 30, 2014
Performance of Composite Endpoints Defining Progression Independent of Relapse Activity in Multiple Sclerosis
Ludwig Kappos1, Sean Yiu2, Jason Reucassel2
1Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Objective:
The characteristics and utility of composite progression independent of relapse activity (cPIRA; worsening on the Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS], or 9-Hole Peg Test, or Timed 25-Foot Walk Test) were evaluated as an endpoint in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) trials using the ENSEMBLE (NCT03085810) and pooled OPERA I/II (NCT01247324/NCT01412333) studies.
Methods:
We evaluated: (i) different definitions and the impact of rebaselining post-relapse on cPIRA, (ii) cPIRA and biomarkers (MRI activity and serum neurofilament light [sNfL] levels), (iii) sustainability of cPIRA events, and (iv) cPIRA impact on future outcomes, in patients treated with ocrelizumab (600 mg, OPERA I/II [n = 827] and ENSEMBLE [n = 1225]) or interferon β-1a (44 μg, OPERA I/II [n = 829]).
Results:
Low disease activity (relapses/new MRI lesions) rendered rebaselining unnecessary for cPIRA status in > 95% of ocrelizumab-treated participants, and variations of cPIRA definitions yielded similar event rates. In OPERA I/II and ENSEMBLE ocrelizumab arms, cPIRA events were independent of MRI activity (86.5% and 95.5%, respectively), and occurred when sNfL was low (risk of cPIRA, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.67; p = 0.11 and 0.57; p = 0.003); more cPIRA events were sustained until study end with interferon β-1a (80.3% OPERA I/II) vs. ocrelizumab (63.2% OPERA I/II, 56.6% ENSEMBLE). Across studies and treatments, cPIRA was associated with an increased risk of subsequent worsening on the EDSS (HR, 1.62-1.74; p = 0.121-0.037), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (HR, 1.16-2.62; p = 0.54-0.009), and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 physical scale (HR, 1.76; p = 0.064).
Interpretation:
cPIRA is clinically relevant and demonstrates utility as a sensitive endpoint in MS clinical trials.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: OPERA I (NCT01247324; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01247324); OPERA II (NCT01412333; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01412333); ENSEMBLE (NCT03085810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03085810).
