Ofatumumab: A New Medication for MS

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. With MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective shell (myelin) of nerve fibers throughout the body. Scar tissue then accumulates around the nerves, which eventually causes nerve damage. Once the nerves are damaged with scar tissue, they cannot receive signals sent from the brain to properly operate. Since the nervous system controls every movement of the body, MS can cause vision issues, movement and muscle control problems, balance issues, and other health complications. The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is not yet clear.

The presentation of MS varies widely among individuals. Some people may experience significant disability, such as losing the ability to walk without assistance, while others may have long periods of remission with minimal symptoms. Although there is currently no cure for MS, various treatments are available to help slow disease progression and reduce the frequency and severity of relapses. One such treatment is the medication ofatumumab.

What is ofatumumab?

Ofatumumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to target and deplete B cells, which play a key role in the autoimmune processes associated with MS. By reducing the number of these B cells, ofatumumab helps to decrease disease activity and reduce relapse rates. Clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in lowering relapse rates and slowing disease progression. Notably, it may also result in fewer infusion-related reactions compared to other treatments.

Recent data from a Phase 3 open-label extension study indicates that ofatumumab effectively sustains a low annualized relapse rate over six years in treatment-naïve individuals with relapsing MS. Individuals who switched from teriflunomide to ofatumumab experienced significant improvements in relapse rates and disease activity. Both groups, whether starting on or switching to ofatumumab, showed increased odds of achieving no evidence of disease activity. This evidence suggests that ofatumumab is a promising long-term treatment option for relapsing MS.

Additional sources: ScienceDirect and Neurology Live