Real-World Discontinuations of Ocrelizumab in MS Comparable to Pivotal Trials

A recent analysis published in Neurology and Therapy indicates that the real-world discontinuation rates of ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are similar to those observed in pivotal trials of the drug. The analysis, which reviewed 30 studies on the real-world use of ocrelizumab, found discontinuation rates of 3.2%-4.1% among patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS), closely resembling the rates seen in the OPERA I, OPERA II, and ORATORIO trials.

Ocrelizumab, approved for both relapsing and primary progressive forms of MS, has shown low discontinuation rates across most studies, with only one study reporting higher discontinuation rates due to adverse events. This particular study involved patients with a longer mean disease duration and older age, factors that may contribute to higher discontinuation rates.

The analysis also highlighted that side effects were the most common reason for treatment discontinuation, followed by concerns over efficacy and pregnancy or family planning. In a comparative study with rituximab, more patients discontinued ocrelizumab due to side effects, though the overall discontinuation rates within the first year of treatment were not significantly different between the two drugs.

Furthermore, the analysis noted that ocrelizumab demonstrated higher adherence and lower discontinuation rates compared to other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) across various administration methods. The studies included in the analysis encompassed a diverse patient population from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and South America, adhering to the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study criteria.