[Results of a phase 1 clinical study of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (BCD-132): pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety]

Key characteristics of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and clinical implications for multiple sclerosis treatment

The recent success of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has highlighted the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of MS. In people with MS, the inflammatory characteristics of B-cell activity are elevated, leading to increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release, diminished anti-inflammatory cytokine production and an accumulation of pathogenic B cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, ublituximab and BCD-132 are anti-CD20 therapies that are either undergoing clinical development, or have been approved, for the treatment of MS. Despite CD20 being a common target for these therapies, differences have been reported in their mechanistic, pharmacological and clinical characteristics, which may have substantial clinical implications. This narrative review explores key characteristics of these therapies. By using clinical trial data and real-world evidence, we discuss their mechanisms of action, routes of administration, efficacy (in relation to B-cell kinetics), safety, tolerability and convenience of use. Clinicians, alongside patients and their families, should consider the aspects discussed in this review as part of shared decision-making discussions to improve outcomes and health-related quality of life for people living with MS.

[Long-term efficacy and safety of divozilimab during 2-year treatment of multiple sclerosis patients in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial BCD-132-4/MIRANTIBUS]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody divozilimab (DIV) used as an intravenous infusion at a dose of 500 mg every 24 weeks during 100 weeks for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), including relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) with relapses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The multicenter, randomized, double-blind and double-masked phase III clinical trial (CT) BCD-132-4/MIRANTIBUS (NCT05385744) included 338 adult patients with MS distributed in a 1:1 ratio into two groups: DIV 500 mg and teriflunomide (TRF) 14 mg. After screening, subjects were included in the main CT period, which consisted of two cycles of therapy over 48 weeks, then entered an additional period from weeks 49 to 100, which included three cycles of therapy. The efficacy was assessed based on the results of brain MRI and registration of data on relapses.

RESULTS

308 subjects completed 5 therapy cycles according to the study protocol. An analysis of the effectiveness of DIV therapy over 2 years showed a persistent suppression of MRI and clinical activity of the disease in comparison with TRF, which was confirmed by all the studied MRI indicators (including CUA; total number of gadolinium-enhancing (GdE) lesions on T1-weighted scans ; number of new or enlarged lesions on T2-weighted scans; lesions volume change on T2-weighted scans; change in the volume of hypointense lesions on T1-weighted scans). The use of DIV was associated with a statistically significant decrease in ARR compared to TRF (p=0.0001). The ARR in the DIV group was 0.057, in the TRF group - 0.164 with 95% confidential interval for the frequency ratio [0.202; 0.593]. The incidence of GdE lesions on T1-weighted scans in the DIV group was significantly lower than in the TRF group. The average number of such lesions was 0.0±0.08 and 1.0±4.46 in the DIV and TRF groups, respectively (p<0.0001). Progression of EDSS was detected in 18 (10.7%) and 36 (21.3%) patients in the DIV and TRF groups, respectively (p=0.0075). The proportion of patients with relapses was 11.2% (n=19) in the DIV group and 23.1% (n=39) in the TRF group (p=0.0039). In the subpopulation of patients with SPMS, no cases of increase in EDSS were detected, and not a single case of exacerbation was recorded over 2 years of using DIV. Also, DIV has shown a favorable safety profile. Among the adverse reactions (AR), infusion reactions and laboratory abnormalities, such as a decrease in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, were most often recorded. Identified AR were expected, had mild to moderate severity, and resolved without any negative consequences.

CONCLUSION

The results of the BCD-132-4/MIRANTIBUS CT indicate a high sustained efficacy and safety of long-term use of DIV in comparison with TRF during 2 years of therapy.

[Efficacy and safety of antiCD20 monoclonal antibody divozilimab during 48-week treatment of multiple sclerosis patients in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial BCD-132-4/MIRANTIBUS]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody divozilimab (DIV) used as an intravenous infusion at a dose of 500 mg for the treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in comparison with the teriflunomide (TRF). The study of the efficacy and safety of the use of the drug DIV was carried out for 48 weeks of therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The multicenter, randomized, double-blind and double-masked phase III clinical trial (CT) BCD-132-4/MIRANTIBUS included 338 adult patients with RRMS distributed in a 1:1 ratio into two groups: DIV 500 mg and TRF 14 mg. After screening, subjects were included in the main CT period, which consisted of two cycles of therapy over 48 weeks. The primary end point was «Mean annualized relapse rate 48 weeks after the last patient is randomized in the study».

RESULTS

321 subjects completed 48 weeks of therapy according to the study protocol. The analysis of the of efficacy data for the primary endpoint successively proved the hypothesis of superiority of the test drug DIV at a dose of 500 mg over the reference drug TRF. A rapid suppression of acute disease activity according to the brain MRI and clinical manifestations of the disease was shown after the first infusion of DIV in patients with RRMS. Thus, after 48 weeks of therapy in patients treated with DIV, there were no T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions, while in the TRF group such lesions were observed in 20.7% (35/169) of subjects. Evaluation of the CUA per scan showed that the mean values for the estimated period were statistically significantly lower in the DIV drug group compared to the TRF group: the ratio of the adjusted per scan rates (DIV/TRF) was 0.125 [95% CI: 0.089; 0.177]. Over the 48 weeks of therapy, the proportion of subjects with relapses was 9.5% (n=16/169) in the DIV group and 19.5% (33/169) in the TRF group (p=0.0086). DIV has shown a favorable safety profile. Among the adverse reactions (AR), infusion reactions and deviations of laboratory data, such as a decrease in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, were most often recorded. Identified AR were expected, had mild to moderate severity, and resolved without any negative consequences.

CONCLUSION

The results of the clinical study indicate the high efficacy and safety of DIV in comparison with TRF.