Relapses after the Natalizumab Switch

Hoepner R, Havla J, Eienbröker C, Tackenberg B, Hellwig K, Meinl I, Hohlfeld R, Gold R, Kümpfel T, Kleiter I. Predictors for multiple sclerosis relapses after switching from natalizumab to fingolimod. Mult Scler. 2014 May. pii: 1352458514533398. [Epub ahead of print]

BACKGROUND:Risks of natalizumab (NAT) therapy have to be weighed against disease recurrence after stopping NAT.
OBJECTIVES:The objective of this paper is to identify risk factors for recurrence of relapses after switching from NAT to fingolimod (FTY) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
METHODS:Patients (n = 33) were treated with NAT for ≥1 year, and then switched to FTY within 24 weeks (mean follow-up on FTY 81.1 (SD 26.5) weeks). Annual relapse rates (ARR) and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores (EDSS) were assessed. 
RESULTS:Overall, 20 patients (61%) had relapses after discontinuation of NAT and 16 (48%) during FTY therapy. The maximum incidence of relapses occurred between weeks 13-24 post-NAT. The last EDSS during the switching period predicted relapses during subsequent FTY therapy. EDSS >3 separated most powerfully between the groups (sensitivity 64%, specificity 88%) and significantly predicted relapses (relative risk 3.27, 95% CI: 1.5-7.3). Seventy-five percent of patients with EDSS ≤ 3 remained free of relapses, compared to 18% of patients with EDSS >3.
CONCLUSIONS:There was an increase of the ARR in the first year after switching from NAT to FTY. Last EDSS during the switching period was a predictor of relapses during FTY.
Read Prof G's Posts on this as clinical practise has changed the switch should be faster to stop rebound

http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/clinic-speak-switching-from-natalizumab.html

http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/previous-treatments-influence.html

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