Ocrelizumab for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the past decade, the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is coming to the forefront. Depletion of B cells by anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has proved to decrease the activity of the relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and the progression of primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the rationale of the depletion of B cells in RRMS and PPMS across recent studies on the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of MS; previous clinical trials with treatments targeting B cells; the mechanism of action of ocrelizumab – a second generation anti-CD20 mAb – and recent phase III clinical trials with ocrelizumab in RRMS and PPMS.

Expert commentary: Ocrelizumab is the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for RRMS and the first treatment approved for PPMS. The long-term effect and safety profile need to be evaluated in extension of clinical trials and in real-world studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• ocrelizumab
• relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
• primary progressive multiple sclerosis
• Ocrevus

Declaration of interest

J. de Seze and N. Collongues have received honoraria for consulting or presentation from Roche. 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. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.