“And earlier here at the AAN [meeting] we presented the clinical efficacy data from the open-label extension, now 2 years completed – so 4 years from onset of the study – in patients who received ocrelizumab continuously for [relapsing-remitting] MS during that time period, or who switched from three-times-weekly interferon beta-1a to ocrelizumab ... and the data continue to show the positive outcomes reported in the original trials,” he added.
Further, follow-up data on MRI outcomes from the open-label extensions demonstrate that the effects on focal disease activity and on progression persists and is durable with ongoing treatment, he noted.
“In conclusion, there is no pattern of serious infections or malignancies that has emerged thus far with increased exposure, but obviously long-term follow-up and postmarketing requirement studies are needed to monitor long-term patient safety and rare events that couldn’t be captured here,” he said.
This study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Dr. Hauser has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Symbiotix, Annexon Biosciences, Bionure, Molecular Stethoscope, and for serving on the Board of Directors of Neurona Therapeutics.
SOURCE: Hauser S et al. Neurology. 2018 Apr 9;(15 Suppl.):S36.001.