Ocrelizumab Discontinuation in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Last updated: December 3, 2024
Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

4

Condition

Memory Loss

Multiple Sclerosis

Scar Tissue

Treatment

Placebo for Ocrelizumab

Ocrelizumab

Clinical Study ID

NCT05285891
DAIT AMS05
  • Ages 18-55
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled study of OCR treatment-discontinuation in patients with early RMS. All eligible participants will be initiated on OCR using the standard approved administration schedule of two 300 mg infusions separated by 14 days (i.e., Days 0 and 14) for a total of 600 mg, followed by 600 mg infusions at Month 6,12, 18, and 24. At Month 24, participants will be randomized (2:1) to one of two Arms with randomized treatment beginning at Month 30: Arm 1: placebo infusions every 6 months; or Arm 2: OCR infusions every 6 months. The treatment period will be for a total of 48 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Have at least one clinical episode that satisfies McDonald 2017 criteria for earlyMultiple sclerosis (MS) for up to 2 years post-event with a dissemination in timethat can be met clinically, by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or based onoligoclonal band (OCB) positivity

  2. Have a length of disease duration, from first symptom, of ≤ 2 years

  3. For women of childbearing potential: Agreement to remain abstinent (refrain fromheterosexual intercourse) or use effective methods of contraception during thetreatment period and for at least 6 months after the last dose of study drug:

  4. A woman is considered to be of childbearing potential if she is postmenarcheal,has not reached a postmenopausal state (≥12 continuous months of amenorrheawith no identified cause other than menopause), and has not undergone surgicalsterilization (removal of ovaries and/or uterus)

  5. Examples of contraceptive methods include bilateral tubal ligation, malesterilization, established hormonal contraceptives that inhibit ovulation,hormone- releasing intrauterine devices, and copper intrauterine devices

  6. The reliability of sexual abstinence should be evaluated in relation to theduration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of theparticipant. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, orpost ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods ofcontraception

  7. Barrier methods must always be supplemented with the use of a spermicide

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Inability or unwillingness of a participant to give written informed consent orcomply with study protocol

  2. History of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), Progressive RelapsingMultiple Sclerosis (PRMS), or Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

  3. Any metallic material or electronic device in the body, or condition that precludesthe participant from undergoing Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  4. Known presence or history of other neurological disorders, including but not limitedto the following:

  5. Ischemic cerebrovascular disorders, including but not limited to transientischemic attack, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, cerebralembolism, or cerebral hemorrhage

  6. Central Nervous System (CNS) or spinal cord tumor, metabolic or infectiouscause of myelopathy, genetically inherited progressive CNS disorder, CNSsarcoidosis, or systemic autoimmune disorders potentially causing progressiveneurologic disease or affecting ability to perform the study assessments

  7. Pregnancy or lactation

a. Female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative urinepregnancy test at screening

  1. Any concomitant disease that may require chronic systemic treatment withcorticosteroids or immunosuppressants during the course of the study

  2. Lack of peripheral venous access

  3. History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to humanized or murinemonoclonal antibodies

  4. Significant, inadequately controlled (e.g. diagnostic evaluations indicated orchange in medications warranted) disease, such as cardiovascular (including cardiacarrhythmia), pulmonary (including obstructive pulmonary disease), renal, hepatic,endocrine, and gastrointestinal or any other significant disease that in the opinionof the investigator may preclude participant from participating in the study

  5. Functional status of NY Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or higher for heartfailure at the screening visit

  6. Known active bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial infection or other infection (including tuberculosis [TB] or atypical mycobacterial disease but excluding limitedsuperficial fungal or viral infections of the skin or nails) or any severe episodeof infection requiring hospitalization or treatment with Intravenous (IV)antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to baseline visit or oral antibiotics within 2weeks prior to baseline visit

  7. Active or chronic infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis or TB (see laboratory tests below)

  8. Evidence of past or current hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, including treatedhepatitis B or hepatitis C. Hepatitis B surface antibody following hepatitis Bimmunization is not considered to be evidence of past infection

  9. Known active malignancy or active monitoring for recurrence of malignancy, includingsolid tumors and hematological malignancies, except basal cell, in situ squamouscell carcinoma of the skin, and in situ carcinoma of the cervix or the uterus thathave been excised with clear margins

  10. Substance use disorder, including the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs withinthe past year associated with clinically significant impairment associated withfailure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home

  11. Receipt of live or live-attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks prior to baseline

  12. Contraindications to or severe intolerance of oral or IV corticosteroids, includingIntravenous (IV) methylprednisolone administered according to the country label,including:

  13. Psychosis not controlled by a treatment

  14. Hypersensitivity to any of the constituents or excipients of the precedingsteroids

  15. Current or prior treatment with the following MS DMTs: fingolimod and other S1Preceptor modulators, cladribine, natalizumab, anti-CD20 molecules, alemtuzumab, andchemotherapeutic agents

  16. Treatment with fumarates within 30 days prior to baseline

  17. Current or prior treatment with any experimental therapies (e.g., bone marrowtransplant), investigational agent, or treatment with any experimental procedure forMS (e.g., treatment for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency)

  18. Systemic corticosteroid therapy within 4 weeks prior to screening

  19. Laboratory test results as follows:

a. Positive infection screening tests for:

i. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) or hepatitis B core antibody (HbcAb)

ii. Hepatitis C (HCV) antibody, if positive screen for HCV RNA Polymerase ChainReaction (PCR)

iii. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)

iv. HIV

v. At or within twelve months of screening:

  • Positive QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test or positive purified protein derivativetuberculin skin test (PPD) (>5mm induration, regardless of Bacille CalmetteGuerin [BCG] vaccine administration) unless completion of treatment has beendocumented for active TB

  • An indeterminate QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test unless followed by a subsequentnegative PPD or negative QuantiFERON(R)-TB Gold test as well as a consultationwith and clearance by local infectious disease (ID) department b. Levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) < 3.3g/L c. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 usingChronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation d. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT)>= 2.0 xthe upper limit of normal (ULN) e. Platelet count < 100,000 plt/mcL (< 100 x 10^9/L) f. Hemoglobin < 10 g/dL g. Absolute neutrophil count < 1.5 × 10⁹/L h. Absolute lymphocyte count < 1.2 x 10⁹/L

  1. Past or current medical problems or findings from physical examination or laboratorytesting that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, maypose additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with theparticipant's ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact thequality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study

Study Design

Total Participants: 123
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Placebo for Ocrelizumab
Phase: 4
Study Start date:
January 12, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
August 01, 2028

Study Description

This study is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled study of OCR treatment-discontinuation in patients with early RMS. All eligible participants will be initiated on OCR using the standard approved administration schedule of two 300 mg infusions separated by 14 days (i.e., Days 0 and 14) for a total of 600 mg, followed by 600 mg infusions at Month 6, 12, 18, and 24. At Month 24, participants will be randomized (2:1) to one of two Arms with randomized treatment beginning at Month 30: Arm 1: placebo infusions every 6 months; Arm 2: OCR infusions every 6 months. The treatment period will be for a total of 48 months.

The study will consist of the following periods, with participants undergoing study assessments, including physical exams, neurological exams, EDSS, LCLA, SDMT, MFIS, MSQOL-54, PHQ9, EQ-5D-5L, and frequent co-registered research-quality MRI to sensitively assess for new inflammatory disease activity (new or enlarging T2 lesions), under schedules described in detail below. Biological sampling includes blood samples for functional immune profiling and stool samples for microbiome studies. Biomarker-based assessments are to include but not be limited to NfL and B cell levels.

Screening Period:

After obtaining informed consent, all screening assessments, and procedures to establish eligibility will be performed. These may be completed during one or more study visits within the 30-day screening window. Biological sampling will include 2 samples obtained prior to initiation of OCR treatment.

Open-label Treatment Period:

Participants that meet all eligibility criteria for enrollment will be initiated on OCR using the standard approved administration and will be followed for 24 months under the standard of care clinical efficacy and safety monitoring described below. Biological sampling occurs at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months as well as prior to the 12 and 24 months visits (14 days +/- 7 days of the visit). Participants who discontinue study therapy during the open-label treatment period are asked to return for an early withdrawal visit and a safety follow-up phone call approximately 6 months after their last dose.

Blinded Treatment Period:

At Month 24, participants will be randomized (2:1) to either: (Arm 1) placebo infusions every 6 months; or (Arm 2) continue with OCR infusions every 6 months. The blinded treatment period will extend to Month 48 or until new disease activity is observed. All participants in the blinded treatment period will be closely monitored clinically and with frequent research MRIs using a standard protocol that assesses for the development of any new inflammatory disease activity observed following randomization. The development of such new inflammatory disease activity will represent the primary study endpoint. It will be defined as one or more of the following: (1) one or more new clinical relapse(s) (see relapse definition) or (2) MRI evidence on frequent (every 3 months) serial scans of new disease activity. The central imaging analysis will identify incident new or enlarging MRI T2 lesions as compared to prevalent brain lesions documented in each participant from time of randomization (Month 24) and thereafter.

Frequent biological sampling will include blood samples collected every 3 months and stool samples collected every 6 months through the 48-month end of study.

Unblinded Follow-up period:

For participants who discontinue blinded study therapy before Month 48, including those meeting the primary endpoint by manifesting new disease activity following randomization as defined above, blinded treatment allocation will be revealed and discussed, as described in section 3.5.1. Participants may choose to receive OCR or other treatment and are encouraged to continue with study assessments per the schedule of events. For participants that meet the primary endpoint, OCR will be provided by the study for those who choose to receive OCR after unblinding and continue with study assessments per the schedule of events.

Functional immune response profiles of reconstituting B cells as well as non-B cells (T cells and myeloid cells) will be compared between participants who do, versus those do not, benefit from durable remission of relapsing biology, to identify cellular immune response profiles that may underlie the state of durable tolerance versus lack of durable tolerance.

Safety Follow-up:

Participants who are treated with OCR through Month 48 will have a phone visit 6 months after their last dose. If there are safety concerns, the participant can be brought in for an unscheduled visit.

Connect with a study center

  • Yale School of Medicine

    New Haven, Connecticut 06510
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

    Washington, District of Columbia 20007
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

    Miami, Florida 33136
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts 02114
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center

    Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Michigan Health System

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

    Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center

    New York, New York 10033
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    New York, New York 10007
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • New York University Langone Health: Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center

    New York, New York 10016
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Rochester Medical Center

    Rochester, New York 14627
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas 75390
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School

    Houston, Texas 77030
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

    Richmond, Virginia 23298
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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