Prospective trial of natalizumab personalised extended interval dosing by therapeutic drug monitoring in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (NEXT-MS)

Alyssa A Toorop, Zoë Ygj van Lierop, Liza My Gelissen, Elske Hoitsma, Esther Mpe Zeinstra, Luuk C van Rooij, Caspar Ep van Munster, Anke Vennegoor, Jop P Mostert, Beatrijs Ha Wokke, Nynke F Kalkers, Erwin Lj Hoogervorst, Jeroen Jj van Eijk, Christiaan M Roosendaal, Jolijn J Kragt, Marijke Eurelings, Jessie van Genugten, Jessica Nielsen, Lgf Sinnige, Mark E KloosterzielEdo Pj Arnoldus, Gert W van Dijk, Willem H Bouvy, Mark Hj Wessels, Lynn Boonkamp, Eva Mm Strijbis, Bob W van Oosten, Brigit A De Jong, Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte, Frederik Barkhof, Bastiaan Moraal, Charlotte E Teunissen, Theo Rispens, Bernard Mj Uitdehaag, Joep Killestein, Zoé LE van Kempen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademic

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Extended interval dosing (EID) of natalizumab is a promising strategy to optimise treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS). Personalised EID by therapeutic drug monitoring can enable further extension of treatment intervals.

METHODS: The NEXT-MS trial is an investigator-initiated prospective phase IV non-randomised study. Adults with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS who received ≥6 natalizumab infusions were included in three groups: personalised EID with a target drug trough concentration of 10 µg/mL (EID10), an exploratory group of personalised EID with a target of 5 µg/mL (EID5) and standard interval dosing (SID) of 4 weeks. The primary outcome is radiological disease activity (new/newly enlarged T2 lesions) comparing the EID10 group to a historical cohort of SID (HSID).

RESULTS: Results of the first phase of the NEXT-MS trial are reported here (n=376) as the study will continue with an amended protocol. In the EID10 group (n=251), incidence rate of radiological activity was 10.0 per 1000 person-years, which was non-inferior to the HSID cohort (24.7 per 1000 person-years (n=87), incidence rate difference 14.7, 90% CI -4.5 to 34.0). Incidence rate of radiological activity was 10.0 per 1000 person-years in the EID5 group (n=65), and 47.0 per 1000 person-years in the SID group (n=60). Serum neurofilament light levels did not increase over time within the EID groups. There were no cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

CONCLUSIONS: MS disease activity is adequately controlled with personalised natalizumab EID. Interval extension to a drug trough concentration of 5 µg/mL is likely a safe target to extend natalizumab treatment intervals >6 weeks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04225312.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Early online date14 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 14 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • multiple sclerosis

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