An assessment of treatment guidelines, clinical practices, demographics, and progression of disease among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Japan, the United States, and Europe

Abstract

Background: There is an increasing clinical research focus on neuroprotective agents in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it is unclear how generalisable clinical study trial results are between different countries and regions. Objective: To assess similarities and differences in clinical practice and treatment guidelines for ALS, and also to compare the demographics and rate of progression of disease in patients with ALS enrolled in clinical trials in Japan, the US, and Europe. Methods: We performed a review of clinical studies published since 2000 to compare the demographics and characteristics of patients with ALS. Progression of ALS disease was assessed in patients receiving placebo. The changes per month in ALSFRS-R score were calculated and compared between the studies. Results: Overall, diagnostic criteria, recognition of ALS symptoms, comorbidities, use of riluzole, and nutritional, and respiratory support were similar. Regarding demographics and characteristics, there were no clear differences in the incidence of sporadic ALS (range 91–98%), bulbar onset (range 11–41%), and median time from onset to diagnosis (range 9–14 months) among the populations despite the difference in race between regions. However, use of tracheostomy-based invasive respiratory support was higher in Japan (29–38%) than in the US (4%) and Europe (1–31%). Rate of progression of disease was similar between the US and Europe study populations (range –0.89 to –1.60 points/month), and the Japanese study populations (range –1.03 to –1.21 points/month). Conclusion: There is evidence to support the generalisability of data from the Japanese ALS trial experience to the US and Europe populations in early to mid-stage of ALS.

Keywords:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• guideline
• treatment patterns
• disease progression
• edaravone

Declaration of interest

KT and KT are employees of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America (MTDA). FT and MH are employees of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical Corporation (MTPC). JP is an employee of MTDA and MTPC. The authors take full responsibility for the content of and the decision to submit this manuscript but thank Teresa A. Oblak, of Covance Market Access Services Inc. for providing research support, coordination assistance, and editorial contributions.

MTPC and MTDA were responsible for the oversight of the literature reviews and statistical contributions for this analysis. MTDA also provided medical writing support for this article. The edaravone (MCI-186) clinical trials were funded by MTPC. The ALSFTD supplement, Edaravone (MCI-186) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was funded by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.