Key clinical point: Natalizumab is effective on the inflammatory phase of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The frequency of poor outcomes is low and are predicted by disease activity criteria.
Major finding: At 10 years, the cumulative probabilities for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) conversion, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) worsening, reaching EDSS-4 and EDSS-6 were 23.7%, 30.4%, 25.1%, and 12.4%, respectively with natalizumab. The mean reduction in annualized relapsed rate at 10 years was 97.5% ( P less than .0001). Factors predictive of disability at the long-term were not reaching ‘no evidence of disease activity’ (NEDA)-3, MRI worsening, increased EDSS score, and to a lesser extent the occurrence of relapse.
Study details: TYSTEN was a real-life observational study that assessed 770 patients with RRMS starting Natalizumab between 2007 and 2012. The mean follow-up duration was 97.2 months and mean treatment duration for natalizumab was 66 months.
Disclosures: The study received no funding. The presenting author had no disclosures. Some of his coinvestigators reported ties with Biogen Idec.
Citation: Bigaut K et al. Mult Scler. 2020 Jul 9. doi: 10.1177/1352458520936239.