Efficacy and safety of four-year ofatumumab treatment in relapsing multiple sclerosis: The ALITHIOS open-label extension

Abstract

Background: Ofatumumab has demonstrated superior efficacy and favorable safety for up to 2.5 years versus teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Objective: Further characterize efficacy and safety of ofatumumab in RMS. Methods: Efficacy set: patients randomized to ofatumumab/teriflunomide in ASCLEPIOS I/II (core). Safety set: patients who received ⩾ 1 dose of ofatumumab in ASCLEPIOS I/II, APLIOS, APOLITOS (all core), or ALITHIOS (umbrella open-label extension). Patients received continuous ofatumumab or were newly switched from teriflunomide. Data cut-off: 25 September 2021. Results: In the efficacy set ( n = 1882), the continuous ofatumumab group had a low annualized relapse rate (ARR 0.05 (95% confidence interval: 0.04–0.07)), low numbers of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions (0.01 lesions/scan) and fewer new/enlarging T2 lesions (annualized rate 0.08). Overall, 78.8% met three-parameter “no evidence of disease activity” criteria through 4 years. Switching from teriflunomide led to reduced ARR, risk of confirmed disability worsening (CDW), new/enlarging T2 lesions, Gd+ T1 lesions, and serum neurofilament light chain. In the continuous and newly switched ofatumumab groups, cumulative 3- and 6-month CDW rates remained low. In the safety set ( n = 1969), the most frequently reported adverse events were infections and infestations (58.35%). No new safety signals were identified. Conclusion: Ofatumumab has a favorable longer-term benefit–risk profile in RMS. Trial registry: ALITHIOS (NCT03650114): https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03650114