Ocrelizumab for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Despite recent advances in pharmacological management, multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, remains a leading cause of disability. In relapsing-remitting (RR)MS, neurologists most commonly utilize immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive agents to benefit their patients. With the introduction of humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) ablation of distinct immune populations has become possible. Depletion of B cells by anti-CD20 mAbs has repeatedly proven to be a very rapid and effective means to diminish disease activity in RRMS.

Areas covered: We discuss the biological rationale, development, and recent clinical study results of the second generation anti-CD20 mAb ocrelizumab.

Expert commentary: The topline results of two phase-III randomized clinical trials demonstrate superiority of ocrelizumab over interferon beta in RRMS patients with regards to clinical and paraclinical outcome parameters. The short term adverse events profile appears favorable. However, long-term effects of repeated B cell depletion are currently unknown.

KEYWORDS:

• B cells
• B lymphocytes
• multiple sclerosis
• MS
• autoimmunity
• EAE
• experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
• CD19
• CD20

Declaration of interest

T Menge has received speaker honoraria from Bayer Healthcare, Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis, Roche and Teva and has received travel grants from Biogen and Teva. C Warnke has received speakers honoraria, consulting, and research funding from Bayer Healthcare, Teva, Biogen, and Novartis. H-P Hartung received honoraria with approval by the Rector of Heinrich-Heine-University from Bayer Healthcare GmbH, Biogen Idec GmbH, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Teva Sanofi Aventis, Hoffman-La Roche, Merck, Genzyme, GeNeuro, Octapharma Opexa, and Receptos for consulting and /or speaking at scientific symposia. O Stuve serves on the editorial boards of JAMA Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Journal, and Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders. He has served on data monitoring committees for Pfizer and TG Therapeutics without monetary compensation. O Stuve collaborated with Medscape on educational initiatives. He advised Genentech and Genzyme. O Stuve has participated in a Teva-sponsored meeting. He has consulted for Navigant Consulting. O Stuve currently receives grant support from Teva Pharmaceuticals and Opexa Therapeutics, and he is funded by a Merit Review grant (federal award document number (FAIN) I01BX001674) from the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs, Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.