Fingolimod And Cladribine: Two New Oral Substances Show Promising Results In Current Clinical Trials For MS Therapy

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 23 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The results of current clinical trials on new substances for MS therapy are among the new research findings that are being discussed with particular interest at the ENS meeting. Professor Comi is part of an international research team presenting the latest results of a study involving the orally administered drug fingolimod that is still in the clinical trial state and yet to be approved. An earlier study showed that oral fingolimod reduced the annualizied relapse rate in MS patients by more than 50 percent versus placebo.

The new data now being presented by Professor Comi and his colleagues document developments over a longer period of time. "After four years, patients continuously treated with the substance had a low relapse rate, and 63% to 70% of these patients remain relapse free," the expert reports. "The majority of those patients treated also remained free from inflammatory activity and disability progression."

Another trial being presented in Milan by an international study group investigated the efficacy of a cladribine tablet therapy that is also in development. "Cladribine is a prodrug, and selective effects on lymphocytes provide targeted and sustained immunomodulation, permitting the investigation of an oral short-course annual treatment," Professor Comi explained. The CLARTY study included 1,326 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. The results, summarized by Professor Comi, are very promising: "Treatment with two different doses cladribine tablets in the CLARTY study resulted in a significant reduction in relapse rates (-58% for low dose and -55% for high dose) and significant reduction in disability progression relative to placebo with both doses. When taken alongside the MRI and safety data, the results provide clear evidence supporting the key role of the drug in the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis."

Source
European Neurological Society