New MS Drug Kesimpta May Help Manage Symptoms

On Thursday, July 18, 2024, a new monoclonal antibody treatment known as Kesimpta (ofatumumab) has shown promising results in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) by pushing the disease into remission more effectively than an older medication. The recent trial, funded by Novartis, the manufacturer of Kesimpta, aimed to compare this new therapy with teriflunomide (Aubagio), an immune-based drug that has been in use for about ten years.

The trial's diverse participant pool consisted of nearly 1,900 MS patients, comprising 82% white, 8% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 3% Black individuals. This diversity is crucial, according to Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams of the Joi Life Wellness MS Center in Atlanta. Dr. Williams emphasized the importance of including ethnically diverse groups in clinical trials to provide comprehensive data that supports the best treatment decisions for these populations. Historically underrepresented groups include Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino, and Asian individuals.

The findings revealed that Kesimpta outperformed Aubagio in driving MS into remission across all racial and ethnic groups involved in the study. The condition under investigation was relapsing-remitting MS, the most common stage of the disease, marked by episodic flare-ups of symptoms followed by periods of remission.

Participants in the trial were divided into two groups: one group received 20 milligrams (mg) of ofatumumab every four weeks, while the other group took 14 mg of teriflunomide daily. The study spanned two years, with the primary goal being "no disease activity." This objective was defined as having no new relapses with symptom flare-ups, no changes in disability, and no new lesions in the brain or spine detected via MRI scans.

Dr. Williams noted that Kesimpta proved to be both effective and safe across various racial and ethnic groups, generally offering more benefits compared to Aubagio. For instance, 37% of white participants achieved no disease activity with Kesimpta, compared to only 17% with Aubagio. Among Black participants, 33% experienced no disease activity with Kesimpta versus 3% with Aubagio. Hispanic participants showed 37% versus 19%, and Asian participants had 43% versus 22%.

The study also indicated that the rates of side effects were similar among all groups, suggesting that the safety profile of Kesimpta is comparable to that of Aubagio.

The results of this trial were published on July 17 in the journal Neurology, providing valuable insights into the efficacy of Kesimpta in managing multiple sclerosis across a diverse patient population.