Ofatumumab Effective for MS Across Racial, Ethnic Subgroups
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2024 -- For patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), ofatumumab is more effective than teriflunomide across racial and ethnic subgroups, according to a study published online July 17 in Neurology.
Mitzi J. Williams, M.D., from the Joi Life Wellness MS Center in Atlanta, and colleagues conducted a post-hoc analysis to compare the proportion of patients with RMS achieving three-parameter no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) with ofatumumab versus teriflunomide. A total of 1,882 participants were randomly allocated to receive ofatumumab 20 mg every four weeks or teriflunomide 14 mg once daily for up to 30 months.
The researchers found that from months 0 to 24, the proportion of ofatumumab- versus teriflunomide-treated patients achieving NEDA-3 was 33.3 versus 3.4 percent for non-Hispanic Black patients; 42.9 versus 21.9 percent for non-Hispanic Asian patients; 36.6 versus 18.6 percent for Hispanic/Latino patients; and 37.4 versus 16.6 percent for non-Hispanic White patients. Between treatment group and across race/ethnicity subgroups, the rates of adverse events were generally similar; no new or unexpected safety signals were seen.
"Our study examined the efficacy and safety of ofatumumab in diverse populations," Williams said in a statement. "We found overall the drug was effective and safe across racial and ethnic groups."
Several authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, which manufactures ofatumumab and funded the study.
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2024
Read this next
Neuromodulation Methods Show Comparable Outcomes for Neurogenic Bladder in Women With MS
WEDNESDAY, May 7, 2025 -- For female patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic...
AAN: Tolebrutinib Slows Disability in Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive MS
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2025 -- Tolebrutinib, a brain-penetrant and bioactive Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor that modulates persistent immune activation within the central nervous...
Higher Fish Intake Linked to Reduced Risk for MS Disability Worsening
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2025 -- Higher fish consumption is associated with slower disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.