Key clinical point: The discontinuation of natalizumab (NTZ) therapy may lead to a marked reactivation of multiple sclerosis (MS); high disease activity and a high level of disability before NTZ initiation predicted multiple sclerosis reactivation.
Major finding: Clinical reactivation was reported in 20.2% of patients within 6 months after NTZ discontinuation. A higher number of relapses during the year before NTZ initiation was significantly associated with an increased risk of reactivation at 6 and 12 months. At 6 months, an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 5.5 or higher before NTZ initiation was associated with a higher reactivation risk.
Study details: The findings are based on the results of a retrospective study of 89 patients with MS who had discontinued NTZ treatment.
Disclosures: The study was in part supported by a VTR grant from Kuopio University Hospital and personal grants from Ilkka Rauma, MD, from Orion Research Foundation and The Finnish Medical Foundation.
Citation: Mustonen T BM et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Nov 5. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101498.