Where Tolebrutinib and Other BTK Inhibitors Fit in the MS Treatment Landscape: Jiwon Oh, MD, PhD
The staff neurologist and medical director of the Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Program at St Michaels Hospital discussed how investigational BTK inhibitors will be used among an ever-growing MS treatment toolbox. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
WATCH TIME: 3 minutes
"There are very few treatments that we have which have shown efficacy in progressive types of MS. Possibly having a molecule that shows an effect across the spectrum of MS would be incredibly helpful. That would mean that this medication could be used at any stage of MS."
As the treatment options for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have expanded, one new class of molecules is making promising headway through the pipeline. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which are designed to reduce B-cell activation, are being evaluated in several ongoing trials, with potential FDA submissions on the horizon. One specific therapy, tolebrutinib (Sanofi), has demonstrated positive results in clinical settings that have featured patients with relapsing MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS.
Most recently, at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2022, held February 24-26, in West Palm Beach, Florida, data continued to show safety and efficacy in new 18-month results. Led by Jiwon Oh, MD, PhD, staff neurologist and medical director, Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Program, St Michaels Hospital, University of Toronto, the findings only add to the palpable buzz within the space about the potential of these therapeutics.
Following the forum, NeurologyLive® sat down with Oh to discuss where these inhibitors would fit among other MS medications, if approved. She stressed the need to wait for additional data, but noted that if these agents can show positive results on progressive forms of the disease, there could be immense opportunity to change the field.
