Transitioning From S1P Receptor Modulators to B Cell-Depleting Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical, Radiographic, and Laboratory Data

Detecting New Lesions Using a Large Language Model: Applications in Real-World Multiple Sclerosis Datasets

OBJECTIVE

Neuroimaging is routinely utilized to identify new inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). A large language model to classify narrative magnetic resonance imaging reports in the electronic health record (EHR) as discrete data could provide significant benefits for MS research. The objectives of the current study were to develop such a prompt and to illustrate its research applications through a common clinical scenario: monitoring response to B-cell depleting therapy (BCDT).

METHODS

An institutional ecosystem that securely connects healthcare data with ChatGPT4 was applied to clinical MS magnetic resonance imaging reports in a single institutional EHR (2000-2022). A prompt (msLesionprompt) was developed and iteratively refined to classify the presence or absence of new T2-weighted lesions (newT2w) and contrast-enhancing lesions (CEL). The multistep validation included evaluating efficiency (time and cost), comparison with manually annotated reports using standard confusion matrix, and application to identifying predictors of newT2w/CEL after BCDT start.

RESULTS

Accuracy of msLesionprompt was high for detection of newT2w (97%) and CEL (96.8%). All 14,888 available reports were categorized in 4.13 hours ($28); 79% showed no newT2w or CEL. Data extracted showed expected suppression of new activity by BCDT (>97% monitoring magnetic resonance images after an initial "rebaseline" scan). Neighborhood poverty (Area Deprivation Index) was identified as a predictor of inflammatory activity (newT2w: OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.10-2.59, p = 0.017; CEL: OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01-2.34, p = 0.046).

INTERPRETATION

Extracting discrete information from narrative imaging reports using an large language model is feasible and efficient. This approach could augment many real-world analyses of MS disease evolution and treatment response. ANN NEUROL 2025.

Investigating treatment alternatives for fingolimod in patients with multiple sclerosis developed refractory fingolimod-related genital Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection

INTRODUCTION

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a rare skin complication in patients with relapse-remitting multiples sclerosis (RRMS) treated with fingolimod. Herein, we aimed to report a case series of 23 MS patients who had to discontinue fingolimod due to persistent HPV infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective case series was conducted between September 2023 to September 2024 in six MS centers in Iran to identify the outcome of HPV infection who discontinued fingolimod.

RESULTS

23 patients with a mean age of 36.34 ± 6.90 -year-old. The majority of patients were female (78.3 %) with a mean disease duration of 3.83 ± 3.02 years, and a mean EDSS score of 1.26 ± 1.10 at the time of fingolimod initiation. Most patients (39.1%) were treatment naïve. They developed genital HPV infection after a mean 32.21± 25.15 months of using fingolimod. Most patients (78.3%) were affected by low risk HPV infection and received a mean 1.96± 1.43 cycles of cryotherapy. After a mean 14.30±11.05 months, all patients had to discontinue treatment, mainly switched to anti-CD20 agents (78.3%). The lesions were resolved after a mean 4.52± 3.11 months. In addition, except for two patients developing a rebound after fingolimod cessations, others were stable with no evidence of disease activity or progression over a one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary results revealed that anti-CD20s agents could be considered safe in patients treated with fingolimod who had to discontinue treatment due to persistent HPV infection. Larger studies are needed to warrant our data.

Family planning and contraception in people with multiple sclerosis: perspectives for obstetricians, gynaecologists, and other health care professionals involved in reproductive planning

PURPOSE

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is often diagnosed in people of reproductive age. However, family planning counselling is not always integrated within MS care. Decisions on family planning can be further complicated by potential side effects associated with several disease-modifying therapies. While neurologists may lack training in contraceptive use and family planning counselling, obstetricians and gynaecologists (OB-GYNs) and other health care professionals involved in reproductive life planning (RHCPs) may lack detailed knowledge and experience around the use of contemporary MS treatments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Through a modified Delphi consensus programme, a multidisciplinary steering committee of 13 international experts developed practical clinical recommendations on contraceptive use and family planning for people with MS (PwMS). This article offers insights to help OB-GYNs and RHCPs implement these recommendations, focusing on contraceptive decision-making and MS medications.

RESULTS

The perspectives discussed emphasise providing education on MS to OB-GYNs and other RHCPs, enabling informed counselling for PwMS and their partners regarding contraception and family planning. Close collaboration among the multidisciplinary team, including neurologists, is crucial in providing reproductive care for PwMS.

CONCLUSIONS

The detailed perspectives provided aim to enable OB-GYNs and other RHCPs to provide informed counselling for PwMS and their partners regarding contraception and family planning.

Effect of Prior Treatment With Fingolimod on Early and Late Response to Rituximab/Ocrelizumab in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Real-life studies noted that the risk of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) after switching to rituximab (RTX) or ocrelizumab (OCR) may be unequal depending on prior disease-modifying therapy (DMT), with a higher risk associated with fingolimod (FING).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of a structured prospective data collection including all consecutive patients with relapsing MS who were prescribed RTX/OCR in the MS center of Marseille. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to clinical and MRI outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 321 patients with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up of 3.5 years (1.5-5) after RTX/OCR initiation. At the first RTX/OCR infusion, the mean (SD) age of patients was 37 (10) years, and the median (IQR) disease duration was 8 years (3-15): 68 patients did not receive treatment before RTX/OCR and 108 switched from FING, 47 from low efficacy therapy, and 98 from natalizumab. For statistical analysis, the group "FING" was divided into "short-FING" and "long-FING" groups according to the median value of the group's washout period (27 days). On Cox proportional hazards analysis, for only the "long-FING" group, the risk of relapse within the first 6 months of RTX/OCR was increased as compared with patients without previous DMT (hazard ratio [HR]: 8.78; 95% CI 1.72-44.86; p < 0.01). Previous DMT and washout period duration of FING had no effect on B-cell levels at 6 months. Beyond the first 6 months of RTX/OCR, age <40 years was associated with increased risk of relapse (HR: 3.93; 95% CI 1.30-11.89; p = 0.01), male sex with increased risk of new T2 lesions (HR: 2.26; 95% CI 1.08-4.74; p = 0.03), and EDSS ≥2 with increased risk of disability accumulation (HR: 3.01; 95% CI 1.34-6.74; p < 0.01). Previous DMT had no effect on the effectiveness of RTX/OCR beyond 6 months after initiation.

DISCUSSION

For patients switching from FING to RTX/OCR, the risk of disease reactivation within the first 6 months of treatment was increased as compared with patients with other DMT or no previous DMT only when the washout period exceeded 26 days. Neither FING nor other previous DMT reduced the effectiveness of RTX/OCR beyond the first 6 months of treatment.

Women's Health and Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis has a 3:1 female-to-male predominance and commonly presents in young adult women. The hormonal changes in women throughout their lifetime do affect the underlying pathology of multiple sclerosis, and the needs of women therefore change with age. Although multiple sclerosis does not adversely affect fertility or pregnancy, there are many factors to consider when caring for women throughout family planning, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. The care of these women and complex decisions regarding disease-modifying therapy use in family planning should be individualized and comprehensive.

[The effect of pregnancy on multiple sclerosis]

Planning for pregnancy and possibility of disease modifying treatment (DMTs) is an important question in female patients of reproductive age who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). The frequency of refusals to plan pregnancy is 14%. This is due to numerous concerns about the course of pregnancy, its outcomes, as well as the possible effect of DMTs on the fetus and the probability of disease transmission to a child. The article discusses immunological reactions taking place in MS patients during pregnancy, which are protective in its nature. Data for all groups of DMTs regarding pregnancy planning, possible risks of their impact on fertility and teratogenicity is presented.

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in multiple sclerosis treated with fingolimod

A 21-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis (taking regular fingolimod) developed sudden-onset severe headache with nausea and malaise. Neurological examination was normal and she was afebrile. Blood results showed lymphocytes 0.53 x 109/L and C reactive protein 19 mg/L. CT scan of head and venogram were normal. CSF showed an opening pressure of 33 cm H2O and an incidental light growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, confirmed with positive India Ink stain and a positive cryptococcal antigen (1:100). She was treated for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis with amphotericin and flucytosine. Her presenting symptoms had closely mimicked subarachnoid haemorrhage. This atypical presentation of cryptococcal CNS infection highlights the need for vigilance in immunosuppressed patients.

A short washout period from fingolimod to anti-CD20 therapy is safe and decreases the risk of reactivation

The frequency of switches between Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has increased considerably over previous years. Between fingolimod and anti-CD20 therapies, a 1-month washout period is usually recommended. However, disease reactivations are frequent after fingolimod (Fg) cessation. Using a retrospective observational monocentric exposed/non-exposed cohort study, we investigated the efficacy and the safety of a shorter washout period (WP) between Fg and anti-CD20. We compared two groups: 25 patients with a short WP (<21 days) and 20 patients with a longer WP (>21 days). We observed no reactivation during WP in patients with a short WP against a relapse in 55% of patients in the longer group. Moreover, clinical and biological safety was excellent. Based on these findings, we recommend a shorter WP between fingolimod and anti-CD20 therapies in MS.

García-Domínguez J, Hernández MÁ, Landete L, Llaneza M, Llufriu S, Meca-Lallana JE, Meca-Lallana V, Mongay-Ochoa N, Moral E, Oreja-Guevara C, Torrentà LRI, Téllez N, Romero-Pinel L, Rodríguez-Antigüedad A. [15th Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: a review of the latest developments presented at the 2022 ECTRIMS Congress (Part II)]

INTRODUCTION

On 4 and 5 November 2022, Madrid hosted the 15th edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, where neurologists specialised in multiple sclerosis outlined the latest developments presented at the 2022 ECTRIMS Congress, held in Amsterdam from 26 to 28 October.

AIM

To synthesise the content presented at the 15th edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, in an article broken down into two parts.

DEVELOPMENT

This second part describes the new developments in terms of therapeutic strategies for escalation and de-escalation of disease-modifying therapies (DMT), when and in whom to initiate or switch to highly effective DMT, the definition of therapeutic failure, the possibility of treating radiologically isolated syndrome and the future of personalised treatment and precision medicine. It also considers the efficacy and safety of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, different approaches in clinical trial design and outcome measures to assess DMT in progressive stages, challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment, and treatment in special situations (pregnancy, comorbidity and the elderly). In addition, results from some of the latest studies with oral cladribine and evobrutinib presented at ECTRIMS 2022 are shown.

Multiple sclerosis and circadian rhythms: Can diet act as a treatment?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with increasing incidence and prevalence. MS is associated with inflammatory and metabolic disturbances that, as preliminary human and animal data suggest, might be mediated by disruption of circadian rhythmicity. Nutrition habits can influence the risk for MS, and dietary interventions may be effective in modulating MS disease course. Chronotherapeutic approaches such as time-restricted eating (TRE) may benefit people with MS by stabilizing the circadian clock and restoring immunological and metabolic rhythms, thus potentially counteracting disease progression. This review provides a summary of selected studies on dietary intervention in MS, circadian rhythms, and their disruption in MS, including clock gene variations, circadian hormones, and retino-hypothalamic tract changes. Furthermore, we present studies that reported diurnal variations in MS, which might result from circadian disruption. And lastly, we suggest how chrononutritive approaches like TRE might counteract MS disease activity.

High-Efficacy Therapies for Treatment-Naïve Individuals with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

There are > 18 distinct disease-modifying therapy (DMT) options covering 10 mechanisms of action currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Given the multitude of available treatment options, and recent international consensus guidelines offering differing recommendations, there is broad heterogeneity in how the DMTs are used in clinical practice. Choosing a DMT for newly diagnosed patients with MS is currently a topic of significant debate in MS care. Historically, an escalation approach to DMT was used for newly diagnosed patients with RRMS. However, the evidence for clinical benefits of early treatment with high-efficacy therapies (HETs) in this population is emerging. In this review, we provide an overview of the DMT options and MS treatment strategies, and discuss the clinical benefits of HETs (including ofatumumab, ocrelizumab, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, and cladribine) in the early stages of MS, along with safety concerns associated with these DMTs. By minimizing the accumulation of neurological damage early in the disease course, early treatment with HETs may enhance long-term clinical outcomes over the lifetime of the patient.