Ofatumumab Effective for MS in All Racial, Ethnic Groups

For patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), ofatumumab has been found to be more effective than teriflunomide across various racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online in Neurology on July 17, 2024. The research, led by Dr. Mitzi J. Williams from the Joi Life Wellness MS Center in Atlanta, involved a post-hoc analysis to compare the proportion of RMS patients achieving no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) using either ofatumumab or teriflunomide.

In this study, 1,882 participants were randomly assigned to receive either 20 mg of ofatumumab every four weeks or 14 mg of teriflunomide daily for a duration of up to 30 months. The main objective was to assess the efficacy of these treatments in achieving NEDA-3, which is a composite measure indicating no disease activity.

The results showed a significant difference between the two treatments over a 24-month period. Among non-Hispanic Black patients, 33.3% of those treated with ofatumumab achieved NEDA-3, compared to only 3.4% of those treated with teriflunomide. For non-Hispanic Asian patients, the proportions were 42.9% for ofatumumab versus 21.9% for teriflunomide. Hispanic/Latino patients saw 36.6% achieving NEDA-3 with ofatumumab, compared to 18.6% with teriflunomide, while non-Hispanic White patients had rates of 37.4% versus 16.6% respectively.

Additionally, the study reported that the rates of adverse events were generally similar across both treatment groups and among the different racial and ethnic subgroups. No new or unexpected safety issues were identified, suggesting that ofatumumab is a safe treatment option across diverse populations.

Dr. Williams emphasized the significance of these findings, highlighting that the study confirms the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab for a broad range of patients. "Our study examined the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab in diverse populations," she said. "We found overall the drug was effective and safe across racial and ethnic groups."

Importantly, the study disclosed that several authors have connections to pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, the manufacturer of ofatumumab, which also funded the research. Despite these disclosures, the outcomes provide valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of ofatumumab versus teriflunomide for treating RMS in various demographic groups.