Latest Conference Coverage

Appropriate Steps Needed for Integration of Biosimilars in MS Treatment Paradigm: Barry Singer, MD

The director and founder of The MS Center for Innovations in Care provided thoughts on the potential role of biosimilars in treating multiple sclerosis and the steps needed to ensure that this integration process is safe. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Unpacking the Controversy of Hormone Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Melinda Magyari, MD

The neurologist in the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center at Copenhagen University Hospital discussed the debate surrounding the use of hormone therapy in multiple sclerosis treatment, highlighting the need for more clinical evidence to support its use. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Insufficient Evidence to Suggest Discontinuation of MS Disease-Modifying Therapies Leads to Worsened Patient-Reported Outcomes

After a median follow-up of 19 months, only the physical component on the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale was worsened in the discontinuation group.

Guiding Medical Students Through Early Career Decisions: Craig Blackstone, MD

The chief of the Movement Disorders Division at Mass General Hospital discussed the challenges medical students face in pathing their career and the importance of a strong mentor figure. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Significant Improvements in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Through Foralumab Treatment

Over a 6-month treatment period, investigators observed either stabilization or improvement on outcomes of Expanded Disability Status Scale, MFIS, T25FW, and pyramidal score.

The Unresolved Bottleneck of Accessing Care for Mental Health in MS: Bernd C. Kieseier, MD

The global program head of the development unit for neuroscience at Novartis talked about the evolving landscape of mental health care for multiple sclerosis including the accessibility barrier that remains for patients in many regions. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

NeuroVoices: Diana Gallagher, MD, on New Phase 2 FUSION Study of BTK Inhibitor BIIB091

The head of Biogen’s MS and Immunology Department Unit provided an overview of FUSION, a currently recruiting study assessing the efficacy and safety of BIIB091 as a monotherapy and in combination with diroximel fumarate.

Additive Potential of BTK Inhibitors in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Paradigm: Diana Gallagher, MD

The head of Biogen’s MS and Immunology Department Unit detailed the potential of combination approaches to treat MS, including the reasons for diroximel fumarate in the newly initiated phase 2 FUSION study. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Enhancing Disability Monitoring in Multiple Sclerosis Using Digital Tools: Mikael Cohen, MD

The senior neurologist at the University Hospital Center of Nice in France talked about a digital tool developed to monitor disability more accurately in patients with multiple, especially during the early stages of the disease. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Link Identified Between PIRA and Retinal Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis

Over a 24-month follow-up, investigators observed increased ganglion cell loss that could potentially be associated with an enhanced risk of developing progression without relapse activity.

Reviewing the Utilization of Serum Biomarker Tests for Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis: William Kilgo, MD

The director of the neurology residency program and assistant professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine shared his insights from a year’s worth of using a serum biomarker test for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Antisense Oligonucleotide AOC 1001 Demonstrates Long-Term Safety Open-Label Extension of MARINA Trial

AOC 1001 consistently demonstrated directional improvements across multiple aspects of myotonic dystrophy type 1, including measures of myotonia, strength, function, and patient reported outcome.

Patients With NMOSD Who Switch From Rituximab to Eculizumab Report Fewer Comorbidities and Hospitalizations

Data from a US database suggest that patients who switched to eculizumab (Soliris; Alexion) significantly reduced their hospitalization, days hospitalized, and documented comorbidities.

The Phase 2 FUSION Trial of BTK Inhibitor BIIB091: Diana Gallagher, MD

The head of Biogen’s MS and Immunology Department Unit discussed FUSION, a new phase 2, 2-part study assessing the efficacy and safety of BIIB091, an investigational Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Ofatumumab Maintains Efficacy in Patients on Previous Anti-CD20 Therapy

Over a 6-month period, ofatumumab-treated patients met the primary end point of no change or reduction in the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions on MRI.

Long-Term Benefits of Inebilizumab Revealed in N-MOmentum Analysis: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN

The clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center talked about a clinical trial highlighting the therapeutic benefits of longterm treatment with inebilizumab in patients with NMOSD. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Optimal Dosage for Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab Uncovered in Phase 1b OCARINA I Trial

Findings from the OCARINA I study presented at the MSMilan 2023 meeting showed that a 920 mg subcutaneous dose of ocrelizumab was well-tolerated in patients with relapsing or primary progressive multiple sclerosis, with similar exposure to the FDA-approved intravenous dose.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Shows Cognitive and Biomarker Improvements in Multiple Sclerosis

A recent analysis presented at MSMilan 2023 showed significant cognitive and biomarker improvements among patients with progressive multiple sclerosis receiving repeated intrathecal injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells.

The Debate About Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause in MS: Rhonda R. Voskuhl, MD

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program at UCLA discussed the need to consider HRT among women with MS going through menopause, and how HRT can improve its negative effects. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Satralizumab Continues to Show Long-Term Efficacy in AQP4-IgG-Seropositive NMOSD

A new analysis of the SAkuraMoon study showed that annual relapse rate remained consistently low in satralizumab-treated patients, with high proportions of patients remaining free from relapse, severe relapse, and worsening in disability.

B Cell Suppression Not Correlated With Therapeutic Response in Ocrelizumab-Treated Patients

Despite not showing significant associations, those with B cell suppression had longer time to relapse, new MRI activity, and progression independent of relapse activity than those without.

Advancing Precision Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis: Mitzi Joi Williams, MD

The founder and chief executive officer of Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center provided insight on the barriers with expanding precision medicine and the need for additional biomarkers of clinical progression. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab Shows Noninferiority to IV Administration in Relapsing, Primary Progressive MS

The administration of a subcutaneous 920-mg dose resulted in near-complete suppression of radiological and clinical disease activity as measured up to week 24, similar to the intravenous therapy.

StimRouter Neuromodulation System Improves Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis

Using a minimally invasive neuromodulation device, patients showed decreases in Overactive Bladder questionnaire symptoms and increases in OAB-q quality of life scores.

Compliment C5 Inhibitors in NMOSD Safe Following Rituximab Use

A recent analysis of the PREVENT and CHAMPION-NMOSD found no significant differences in safety outcomes for patients with AQP4+ NMOSD who were treated with rituximab prior to starting C5 complement inhibitors in specific timeframes.

Anti-CD20 Therapies Shown to be Effective After Switch From Natalizumab

Following the switch from natalizumab, patients with multiple sclerosis on anti-CD20 therapies like rituximab demonstrated significant reductions in annualized relapse rate.

NeuroVoices: Jessica Ailani, MD, on Emerging Research in Migraine, CGRPs, and PACAP Pathway

The director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center gave commentary on the advances in the treatment of migraine, ways to better utilize CGRP medications, and the introduction of PACAP-targeting agents and their relevancy.

Search for Targeted Therapies for Primary Headaches Beyond Migraine: Jihan A. Grant, MD

The director of headache medicine at The Mount Sinai Hospital talked about the often-overlooked realm of primary headaches beyond migraines as well as the importance of developing targeted treatments and increasing understanding of their pathophysiology. [WATCH TIME: 7 minutes]

Ways to Optimize Trials for ALS Drug Development: Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, MS

The director of the Duke ALS Clinic at Duke Health discussed the advances in drug development for ALS and ways to evolve future trials to get optimal therapeutic benefit. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Phase 1/2 Findings Highlight RGX-202’s Safety, Impact on Key Duchenne Biomarkers

RGX-202, a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, was well-tolerated with no therapy-related serious adverse effects in 3 patients who received the level 1 dosage.