MS Drug May Delay Symptom Onset

A study called Dimethyl Fumarate Delays Multiple Sclerosis in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome, published in Annals of Neurology, investigated whether an approved treatment could prevent the first clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). While numerous MS treatment options are available for patients–including Tecfidera™ (dimethyl fumarate)–it is critical to begin therapy as early as possible to slow disease progress and improve outcomes.

Researchers conducted a multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study (called the ARISE trial) in patients with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS); patients with RIS have indications of MS-related brain changes (as revealed by imaging) but no clinical symptoms of MS. These patients are at a higher risk of later being diagnosed with MS, so RIS may represent an early preclinical stage of MS.

Results from this clinical trial, which is the first of its kind, found that patients with RIS taking Tecfidera (n=44) had a significantly lower risk of experiencing a clinical event associated with MS after 96 weeks of treatment compared to patients with RIS taking placebo, an inactive substance (n=43). Treatment was well tolerated, and severe adverse events were similar in both groups.

These data, which were first presented at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2022 meeting, suggest that patients with RIS may benefit from treatment early on to potentially delay the onset of MS symptoms. 

Citation

Okuda, D. T., et al. (2023). Dimethyl Fumarate Delays Multiple Sclerosis in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome. Annals of neurology, 93(3), 604–614. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.26555