Real-World Effectiveness of Cladribine for Patients with Multiple
Sclerosis: A Sicilian Multicentric Experience (Rewind Study)

Sebastiano      Arena; Clara   Grazia   Chisari; Simona      Toscano; Sebastiano      Bucello; Luigi   Maria   Grimaldi; Paolo      Ragonese; Sabrina      Realmuto; Salvatore      Cottone; Davide      Maimone; Chiara      Finocchiaro; Paola      Reitano; Francesco      Patti

doi:10.2174/1570159X21666230322140711

Abstract

Background: Cladribine tablets are a highly effective option for the treatment of relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cladribine in a real-world setting.

Methods: This prospective real-world study consecutively screened all RRMS patients from seven different MS centers in Sicily (Italy) who completed the 2-year treatment course of cladribine tablets in the period between 11^th March 2019 and 31^st October 2021. Data about Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), relapses, previous treatments, adverse events (AEs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected. Patients who were previously treated with other DMTs were further stratified into moderately active treatment (MAT) and highly active treatment (HAT) patients.

Results: A total of 217 patients (70% women, with a mean age of 38.4 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled. Fifty patients (23.0%) were naïve to treatment and 167 (77%) switched from other disease modifying therapies. After the second year of treatment, about 80% were EDSS progression free, 88% remained relapse-free at T24, and 48% of patients were MRI activity-free. Kaplan Meier analyses showed significant differences between MT and HAT in terms of time to first clinical relapse (HR: 2.43, IC 1.02- 5.76; p = 0.04), time to the first new T1-gadolinium enhancing lesion (HR: 3.43, IC 1.35-8.70; p = 0.009) and time to MRI worsening (HR: 2.42, IC 1.15-5.09; p = 0.02).

Conclusion: This study confirmed that cladribine is an effective treatment for MS, particularly in naïve patients and those who have switched from MATs.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, disease modifying therapies, switching therapies, cladribine, moderately active treatment, highly active treatment.

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DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X21666230322140711	Print ISSN 1570-159X
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Current Neuropharmacology

Real-World Effectiveness of Cladribine for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Sicilian Multicentric Experience (Rewind Study)

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