Work

Real world experience with cladribine tablets in the management of relapsing multiple sclerosis in Qatar

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: To study the 30-month safety and effectiveness of Cladribine tablets (CladT) in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) months in a real-world setting. Retrospective single-centre observational study in Qatar (January 2018–Feb 2023). Clinical and MRI data, lymphocyte counts and adverse events (AE) were recorded for patients with RMS who received at least one course of CladT. Forty-six patients were included (mean follow-up 22 months); 34 (74 %) were female, 22 (48 %) were disease-modifying therapy (DMT) naïve, 16 (35 %) had switched from platform DMT and 8 (17 %) from high efficacy (HE) DMD. Mean age was 26.7±7.2 y, mean disease duration was 7.2±6.0 y. Common reasons for treatment with CladT were MS activity (91 %), pregnancy planning (17 %), AE (20 %), compliance (9 %). 44/46 ( 96 %) received the year 2 course of CladT. Annualised relapse rate (ARR) fell from 1.02 (baseline) to 0.1, 0, 0.1, 0.1 and 0.1 for years 1–5 post-treatment, respectively; 87.5–100 % were free of relapses at these times, vs. 21 % at baseline. There were no relapses in year 2; 78 %, 100 %, 84 %, 80 % and 100 %, respectively, were free of GD+ MRI lesions at years 1–5, vs. 31 % at baseline. Most clinical AE were mild (1 moderate, no severe AE); 12 contracted Covid-19 (no hospitalisations). Grade 3 lymphopenia occurred in 5 patients. CladT appeared to be effective and safe in our retrospective study, irrespective of prior treatments, consistent with other real world data that support the early use of CladT in the management of RRMS. • Retrospective study of cladribine tablets (CladT) in relapsing MS patients in Qatar. • Annual relapse rate fell from 1.0 to 0.0−0.1 for years 2−5 after CladT administration • Relapse rates were reduced whether or not patients had previously received a DMT • A high proportion also demonstrated NEDA-3 beyond the first 2 years of treatment • CladT was well tolerated and no severe AE or new safety signals were reported

Source: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery

DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2024.108615

Authors: Beatriz Garcia Cañibano, Lina Okar, Yahya Zakarya Baniamer, Dirk Deleu

Institutions: Hamad Medical Corporation, Saint Louis University

Language: English

Topic: Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630