Press Release
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| 11 October 2012 |
| TYSABRI® (natalizumab) Data at ECTRIMS Reaffirm Positive Effects of Treatment for People with Relapsing Forms of MS |
Key data highlights from ECTRIMS include:
“These data further establish the benefits of TYSABRI in reducing
relapse rates and slowing disease progression,” said Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an often debilitating disease of the brain and spinal cord that affects nearly 2.1 million people worldwide. While a number of disease modifying therapies are currently available, an unmet need remains for effective treatment options.
“Common symptoms of MS, such as cognitive difficulties, fatigue and
visual function can have a tremendous impact on people living with MS.”
said SELECT TYSABRI PRESENTATIONS AT ECTRIMS:
The objective of the TYSABRI Observational Program (TOP) is to evaluate
long-term safety, efficacy, associations between baseline treatment
history and post baseline annualized relapse rate (ARR), and overall
two-year clinical disease-activity–free status in RRMS patients treated
with TYSABRI. As of Results from TOP demonstrate that in the post marketing setting TYSABRI treatment has an effect on ARR, which is also accompanied by stable EDSS over four years. ARRs were lower in treatment-naïve patients than in previously treated patients, and lower in patients with EDSS score <3.0 at baseline. Overall, the incidence of serious adverse events, including infections, reported in TOP are consistent with the known safety profile of TYSABRI.
The objective of the TYNERGY trial was to evaluate whether improvement in MS-related fatigue during TYSABRI treatment is associated with significant improvement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a multicenter, single-arm, non-randomized, open-label, prospective, observational study (TYNERGY) in patients with RRMS who are TYSABRI treatment naïve at baseline. After 12 months of natalizumab treatment in TYNERGY, a significant reduction in fatigue, as measured by the FSMC total score, was associated with improvements in mental and physical components of HRQoL. Reduced cognitive fatigue was associated with improved mental components of HRQoL, while reduced motor fatigue was associated with improved physical components of HRQoL.
The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to determine the relation of changes in visual function and disease activity-free (DAF) status among patients with relapsing-remitting MS in AFFIRM. Low-contrast letter acuity is a visual function measure that captures treatment effects as well as overall disability in MS. In the AFFIRM trial, 37 percent of TYSABRI-treated patients were free of clinical and radiological disease activity over the two-year study period. Patients with lower relapse rates, fewer MRI lesions, and better EDSS scores at treatment initiation were more likely to achieve DAF. Among all patients in AFFIRM (n=942), mean changes from baseline in VFT were greater and in the direction of increased (better) scores over time in the DAF compared with the non-DAF group. Sustained visual function test (VFT) worsening was less likely in the group that remained free of disease activity than in the group that had disease activity. In the post-hoc analysis, a relationship between visual function and clinical or radiological disease activity was also observed.
The objective of this study was to explore how the JC-virus (JCV)
antibody assay is utilized and whether test results impact treatment
decision making in clinical practice. In January 2012, a questionnaire
was distributed to 18 MS centers in central Seventeen of 18 MS centers have provided data so far, representing a total of 7,757 RRMS patients. In total, 828 RRMS patients were measured for JCV antibodies, with 443 testing positive for JCV antibodies. Of those patients testing positive for JCV antibodies, 76% have either started or continued (> = 2 years) TYSABRI treatment. Scores for the test were ranked as follows: 1= very important, 2 = important, 3 = less important, 4 = not important. The JCV antibody status was judged as “important” for making decision to start (mean score 2.1) or to continue at two years TYSABRI treatment (mean score 1.8).
The objective of this platform presentation is to describe how MRI can aid in early detection of PML. Topics to be addressed during the presetation include how MRI sequences, lesion location, lesion appearance and patterns of contrast enhancement are useful for early detection. About TYSABRI
TYSABRI is approved in
TYSABRI has advanced the treatment of MS patients with its established
efficacy. Data from the Phase 3 AFFIRM trial, which was published in the
Important Information about TYSABRI TYSABRI increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an opportunistic viral infection of the brain, which usually leads to death or severe disability. Infection by the JC virus (JCV) is required for the development of PML and patients who are anti-JCV antibody positive have a higher risk of developing PML. Factors that increase the risk of PML are presence of anti-JCV antibodies, prior immunosuppressant use, and longer TYSABRI treatment duration. Patients who have all three risk factors have the highest risk of developing PML. Other serious adverse events that have occurred in TYSABRI-treated patients include hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) and infections, including opportunistic and other atypical infections. Clinically significant liver injury has also been reported in the post-marketing setting. A list of adverse events can be found in the full TYSABRI product labeling for each country where it is approved.
TYSABRI is marketed and distributed by
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