Teriflunomide vs interferon-beta trial

Teriflunomide is as effective as interferons. #MSBlog #MSResearch


"This study tells us what we have implied already from the phase 3 trial results, that teriflunomide punts in the same efficacy zone as the interferons. Being an oral tablet  that is taken once a day will be very appealing to people with RRMS. However, the other attributes of teriflunomide may affect decision making regarding using it as a treatment over the injectables. Not to mention what the payers will have to say in each individual country."


Head-2-head studies should happen more often!

"If we adopt the rheumatology model of treat-2-target of no evidence of disease activity (NEDA) with a zero tolerance for ongoing inflammation I see most MSers cycling through the lower efficacy tier very quickly. To do this is we have to get MSologists think about what they are trying to achieve with DMTs. Leaving someone with smoldering MS on a low or moderately efficacy DMT is not acceptable in 2013. The problem I have is this thinking is ahead of the curve and NICE and NHS England will only allow switching on clinical grounds. They simply don't accept MRI activity as being meaningful when all the data suggests otherwise. It is time to accept focal MRI activity and relapses as what they are evidence of ongoing inflammation."

Epub: Vermersch et al. Teriflunomide versus subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a randomised, controlled phase 3 trial. Mult Scler. 2013

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, teriflunomide significantly reduced the annualised relapse rate (ARR) and disability progression.

OBJECTIVE: This phase 3, rater-blinded study (NCT00883337) compared teriflunomide with interferon-beta-1a (IFNβ-1a).

METHODS: Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis were randomised (1:1:1) to oral teriflunomide 7-or 14mg, or subcutaneous IFNβ-1a 44µg. The primary composite endpoint was time to failure, defined as first occurrence of confirmed relapse or permanent treatment discontinuation for any cause. Secondary endpoints included ARR, Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). The study was completed 48 weeks after the last patient was randomised.

RESULTS: Some 324 patients were randomised (IFNβ-1a: 104; teriflunomide 7 mg: 109; teriflunomide 14 mg: 111). No difference in time to failure was observed. There was no difference in ARR between teriflunomide 14 mg and IFNβ-1a, but ARR was significantly higher with teriflunomide 7 mg. FIS scores indicated more frequent fatigue with IFNβ-1a, though differences were only significant with teriflunomide 7 mg. TSQM scores were significantly higher with teriflunomide. There were no unexpected safety findings.

CONCLUSION: Effects on time to failure were comparable between teriflunomide and IFNβ-1a. There was no difference between teriflunomide 14 mg and IFNβ-1a on ARR, though ARR was higher with teriflunomide 7 mg. The teriflunomide safety profile was consistent with previous studies.

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