MDS Congress 2021: Highlights, Takeaways, and Future Research

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders (MDS) Society Virtual Congress 2021, September 17-22, featured presentations from leaders and experts in the fields of Parkinson disease (PD) and movement disorders, outlining the latest advances in the field, as well as calling attention to areas and needs for future research. 

Presentations covered a multitude of topics, including the efficacy of medical cannabis in treating dystonia, the potential of omavalexolone in treating Friedrich Ataxia, dance class interventions for patients with PD, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on specific patient populations with movement disorders.

The NeurologyLive team spoke with experts over the course of the virtual event, diving deeper into key findings from individual studies—swipe through the slideshow to browse our interviews and to hear what experts are saying about PD and movement disorders. 

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The MOXIe trial (NCT02255435), featuring a 2-part study design, is the largest global interventional trial ever conducted in Friedrich Ataxia (FA). The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of omaveloxolone (Reata Pharmaceuticals) in a cohort of 73 patients with FA, using differences in modified Friedrich’s Ataxia Rating Scale (mFARS) scores as the primary end point.¹

At MDS 2021, data from the open-label, delayed-start period of the MOXIe trial was presented by David R. Lynch, MD, PhD, professor of neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Lynch sat down with NeurologyLive to provide background on the results, including the notable topline findings and the substantial improvement in those who previously switched from placebo.

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Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc, PhD candidate in epidemiology, at Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, sat down with NeurologyLive to discuss her presentation at MDS, 2021, which outlined the PRIME-NL study of COVID-19 stressros and associated impact on depression, anxiety, and quality of life for patients with Parkinson disease (PD).²

According to Dommershuijsen, developing tailored interventions for patients with PD is crucial to address the mental health of these patients, with the approach dependent on the stressor, as well as the possibility of in-person or virtual settings.

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Data from a retrospective study evaluating the effect of medical cannabis (MC) on patients with dystonia was presented at MDS 2021 by Saar Anis, MD, neurologist and movement disorders specialist, Movement Disorders Institute, neurology department, Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center in Israel.³

Anis outlined the key findings of the small study, which concluded that smoking MC was significantly more efficacious than consuming MC via cannabis oil extract. The study also found that tetrahydrocannabinol-rich products were better in treating dystonia and associated pain, when compared to cannabidiol-rich products—something Anis noted was surprising. 

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William Ondo, MD, director, Movements Disorders Clinic, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute; and professor of neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, outlined findings from both the pivotal (CTH-300) and long-term study (CTH-201) of apomorphine sublingual film (Kynmobi; Sunovion) in the on-demand treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) OFF episodes.

The presentation on the post-hoc analysis evaluated the occurrence of nausea during the dose titration process, finding that nausea occurred in approximately 21% of patients treated with apomorphine sublingual film. Although, in 83% of instances, doses of apomorphine sublingual film were unchanged and rarely caused patients to discontinue treatment. Additionally, the preliminary interim analysis of data from the long-term safety and efficacy study concluded that 88% of patients were titrated to a dose of the treatment without the use of concomitant antiemetics.^4-6 

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In Case You Missed It: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society 2021 Virtual Congress, may have ended on September 22, but there is plenty of coverage still to come from the NeurologyLive team! Make sure to keep checking in for additional information, and data readouts, and poster presentations, as well as interviews with experts in the care of patients with Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and other movement disorders.

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Click here for more coverage of movement disorders from NeurologyLive, or for more coverage of MDS 2021, click here.

REFERENCES

1. Lynch DR, Chin MP, Boesch S, et al. Efficacy of omaveloxolone in patients with Friedrich’s ataxia: delayed-start study. Presented at MDS Virtual Congress; September 17-22, 2021. Poster LBA 2.
2. Dommershuijsen L, Heide A, Berg E, et al. Effect of COVID-19 stressors on mental health and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease. Presented at: MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 1045. 
3. Anis S, Faust-Socher D, Sverdlov D, Hezi N, Giladi N, Gurevich T. A real-life study of Medical Cannabis effect on adults with dystonia. Presented at MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 93.
4. Hauser R, Factor S, Ondo W, Zhang I, Pappert E, Navia B. Apomorphine sublingual film for “OFF” episodes in Parkinson’s Disease: Impact of concomitant antiemetics on nausea and vomiting. Presented at: MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 394.
5. Ondo W, Hauser R, Bowling A, Isaacson S, Pappert E, Navia B. pomorphine Sublingual Film for “OFF” Episodes in Parkinson’s Disease: Characterization of Acute Nausea During Dose Titration. Presented at: MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 427.
6. Sunovion presents new Kynmobi (apomorphine sublingual film) study data at the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Congress 2021. News release. Sunovion. September 10, 2021. Accessed September 16, 2021. https://news.sunovion.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2021/Sunovion-Presents-New-KYNMOBI-apomorphine-sublingual-film-Study-Data-at-the-International-Parkinson-and-Movement-Disorder-Society-MDS-Congress-2021/default.aspx