Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD

In a summary of abstracts presented at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Dr. Mark Freedman shares that he and his colleagues found no apparent increased risk of COVID-19 with long-term use of interferon β-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Freedman also highlights several abstracts examining the use of cladribine and ocrelizumab in older patients with MS.

A post hoc analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the combined safety populations of CLARITY, CLARITY Extension, and ORACLE-MS found that by week 96, the effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg on CD19+ B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in younger and older patients with MS were similar, with steady recovery following nadir.

Another study on younger and older patients treated with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg found that around a quarter of both groups had transient periods of Grade ≥3 lymphopenia during the study, and the rate of certain infection-related treatment-emergent adverse events was higher in the older patients.

A single-center study found that 25% of patients in the older population stopped ocrelizumab, the most common reasons being disease progression and repeated or severe infections.

Lastly, an evaluation of older patients with progressive MS found no statistical difference in 2-year clinical endpoints for patients taking ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy.

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Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD is a Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; Bayer Healthcare; Biogen Idec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffmann-La Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay Pharmaceuticals; Novartis; Sanofi Genzyme; Teva Canada.

Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi Genzyme; EMD Serono.

Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Biogen Idec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi Genzyme; Hoffmann-La Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada.

Received research or educational grants from: EMD Inc; Hoffmann-La Roche; Sanofi Genzyme Canada.

In a summary of abstracts presented at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Dr. Mark Freedman shares that he and his colleagues found no apparent increased risk of COVID-19 with long-term use of interferon β-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Freedman also highlights several abstracts examining the use of cladribine and ocrelizumab in older patients with MS.

A post hoc analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the combined safety populations of CLARITY, CLARITY Extension, and ORACLE-MS found that by week 96, the effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg on CD19+ B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in younger and older patients with MS were similar, with steady recovery following nadir.

Another study on younger and older patients treated with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg found that around a quarter of both groups had transient periods of Grade ≥3 lymphopenia during the study, and the rate of certain infection-related treatment-emergent adverse events was higher in the older patients.

A single-center study found that 25% of patients in the older population stopped ocrelizumab, the most common reasons being disease progression and repeated or severe infections.

Lastly, an evaluation of older patients with progressive MS found no statistical difference in 2-year clinical endpoints for patients taking ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy.

--

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD is a Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; Bayer Healthcare; Biogen Idec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffmann-La Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay Pharmaceuticals; Novartis; Sanofi Genzyme; Teva Canada.

Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi Genzyme; EMD Serono.

Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Biogen Idec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi Genzyme; Hoffmann-La Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada.

Received research or educational grants from: EMD Inc; Hoffmann-La Roche; Sanofi Genzyme Canada.

In a summary of abstracts presented at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Dr. Mark Freedman shares that he and his colleagues found no apparent increased risk of COVID-19 with long-term use of interferon β-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Freedman also highlights several abstracts examining the use of cladribine and ocrelizumab in older patients with MS.

A post hoc analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the combined safety populations of CLARITY, CLARITY Extension, and ORACLE-MS found that by week 96, the effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg on CD19+ B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in younger and older patients with MS were similar, with steady recovery following nadir.

Another study on younger and older patients treated with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg found that around a quarter of both groups had transient periods of Grade ≥3 lymphopenia during the study, and the rate of certain infection-related treatment-emergent adverse events was higher in the older patients.

A single-center study found that 25% of patients in the older population stopped ocrelizumab, the most common reasons being disease progression and repeated or severe infections.

Lastly, an evaluation of older patients with progressive MS found no statistical difference in 2-year clinical endpoints for patients taking ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy.

--

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD is a Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; Bayer Healthcare; Biogen Idec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffmann-La Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay Pharmaceuticals; Novartis; Sanofi Genzyme; Teva Canada.

Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi Genzyme; EMD Serono.

Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Biogen Idec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi Genzyme; Hoffmann-La Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada.

Received research or educational grants from: EMD Inc; Hoffmann-La Roche; Sanofi Genzyme Canada.

Promising phase 3 trial results from French researchers indicate that the first-in-class oral TKI masitinib may provide a new treatment option for patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or nonactive secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

The masitinib study was noted by Dr Mark Freedman, professor of neurology at the University of Ottawa, as among the key findings on PPMS presented at ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS 2020. The French study reported that patients receiving masitinib over 96 weeks experienced significant delay in disability progression.

Dr Freedman explains how an analysis done by Mellon Center researchers may change how clinicians counsel patients about the risk for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) related to fingolimod treatment. Their research shows the incidence rate of PML among patients receiving fingolimod to be very low — in fact, fewer than 40 times that of patients receiving natalizumab.

Finally, Dr Freedman discuses an ad hoc analysis presented by leading MS researchers from University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, which points to plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels as a prognostic biomarker of increased risk for worsening disability. Using data from the EXPAND trial, researchers found significant risk for increased disability among patients with nonactive SPMS who had elevated baseline GFAP.

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; BayerHealthcare; BiogenIdec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffman La-Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay; Novartis; Sanofi-Genzyme; Teva Canada Innovation. Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi-Genzyme; EMD Serono. Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; BiogenIdec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi-Genzyme; Hoffman La-Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada Innovation­. Received research or educational grants from: Sanofi-Genzyme Canada; Hoffman-La Roche; EMD Inc.

Promising phase 3 trial results from French researchers indicate that the first-in-class oral TKI masitinib may provide a new treatment option for patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or nonactive secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

The masitinib study was noted by Dr Mark Freedman, professor of neurology at the University of Ottawa, as among the key findings on PPMS presented at ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS 2020. The French study reported that patients receiving masitinib over 96 weeks experienced significant delay in disability progression.

Dr Freedman explains how an analysis done by Mellon Center researchers may change how clinicians counsel patients about the risk for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) related to fingolimod treatment. Their research shows the incidence rate of PML among patients receiving fingolimod to be very low — in fact, fewer than 40 times that of patients receiving natalizumab.

Finally, Dr Freedman discuses an ad hoc analysis presented by leading MS researchers from University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, which points to plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels as a prognostic biomarker of increased risk for worsening disability. Using data from the EXPAND trial, researchers found significant risk for increased disability among patients with nonactive SPMS who had elevated baseline GFAP.

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; BayerHealthcare; BiogenIdec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffman La-Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay; Novartis; Sanofi-Genzyme; Teva Canada Innovation. Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi-Genzyme; EMD Serono. Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; BiogenIdec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi-Genzyme; Hoffman La-Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada Innovation­. Received research or educational grants from: Sanofi-Genzyme Canada; Hoffman-La Roche; EMD Inc.

Promising phase 3 trial results from French researchers indicate that the first-in-class oral TKI masitinib may provide a new treatment option for patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or nonactive secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

The masitinib study was noted by Dr Mark Freedman, professor of neurology at the University of Ottawa, as among the key findings on PPMS presented at ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS 2020. The French study reported that patients receiving masitinib over 96 weeks experienced significant delay in disability progression.

Dr Freedman explains how an analysis done by Mellon Center researchers may change how clinicians counsel patients about the risk for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) related to fingolimod treatment. Their research shows the incidence rate of PML among patients receiving fingolimod to be very low — in fact, fewer than 40 times that of patients receiving natalizumab.

Finally, Dr Freedman discuses an ad hoc analysis presented by leading MS researchers from University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, which points to plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels as a prognostic biomarker of increased risk for worsening disability. Using data from the EXPAND trial, researchers found significant risk for increased disability among patients with nonactive SPMS who had elevated baseline GFAP.

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; BayerHealthcare; BiogenIdec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffman La-Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay; Novartis; Sanofi-Genzyme; Teva Canada Innovation. Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi-Genzyme; EMD Serono. Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; BiogenIdec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi-Genzyme; Hoffman La-Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada Innovation­. Received research or educational grants from: Sanofi-Genzyme Canada; Hoffman-La Roche; EMD Inc.

A shift in managing symptoms for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may be in order as new research questions the efficacy of three commonly used drugs for MS-related fatigue. Results of a study from Johns Hopkins University show that amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate were not superior to placebo. As Dr Mark Freedman reports in this ReCAP, the study suggests that clinicians consider focusing more on patient sleep quality rather than tiredness in their evaluation of fatigue.

This study was presented during the 8th Joint Meeting of ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS, this year branded MSVirtual2020. Dr Freedman, a recognized neurologist from the University of Ottawa, shares key highlights from the online conference.

He explains the significance of new evidence that points to the potential for a selective retinoid X receptor agonist to promote remyelination in relapsing disease. He also discusses a study by researchers at the University of Melbourne that looked at data from the largest cohort of MS patients with COVID-19 and drew troubling conclusions.

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; BayerHealthcare; BiogenIdec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffman La-Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay; Novartis; Sanofi-Genzyme; Teva Canada Innovation. Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi-Genzyme; EMD Serono. Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; BiogenIdec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi-Genzyme; Hoffman La-Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada Innovation­. Received research or educational grants from: Sanofi-Genzyme Canada; Hoffman-La Roche; EMD Inc.

A shift in managing symptoms for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may be in order as new research questions the efficacy of three commonly used drugs for MS-related fatigue. Results of a study from Johns Hopkins University show that amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate were not superior to placebo. As Dr Mark Freedman reports in this ReCAP, the study suggests that clinicians consider focusing more on patient sleep quality rather than tiredness in their evaluation of fatigue.

This study was presented during the 8th Joint Meeting of ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS, this year branded MSVirtual2020. Dr Freedman, a recognized neurologist from the University of Ottawa, shares key highlights from the online conference.

He explains the significance of new evidence that points to the potential for a selective retinoid X receptor agonist to promote remyelination in relapsing disease. He also discusses a study by researchers at the University of Melbourne that looked at data from the largest cohort of MS patients with COVID-19 and drew troubling conclusions.

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; BayerHealthcare; BiogenIdec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffman La-Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay; Novartis; Sanofi-Genzyme; Teva Canada Innovation. Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi-Genzyme; EMD Serono. Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; BiogenIdec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi-Genzyme; Hoffman La-Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada Innovation­. Received research or educational grants from: Sanofi-Genzyme Canada; Hoffman-La Roche; EMD Inc.

A shift in managing symptoms for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may be in order as new research questions the efficacy of three commonly used drugs for MS-related fatigue. Results of a study from Johns Hopkins University show that amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate were not superior to placebo. As Dr Mark Freedman reports in this ReCAP, the study suggests that clinicians consider focusing more on patient sleep quality rather than tiredness in their evaluation of fatigue.

This study was presented during the 8th Joint Meeting of ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS, this year branded MSVirtual2020. Dr Freedman, a recognized neurologist from the University of Ottawa, shares key highlights from the online conference.

He explains the significance of new evidence that points to the potential for a selective retinoid X receptor agonist to promote remyelination in relapsing disease. He also discusses a study by researchers at the University of Melbourne that looked at data from the largest cohort of MS patients with COVID-19 and drew troubling conclusions.

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; BayerHealthcare; BiogenIdec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffman La-Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay; Novartis; Sanofi-Genzyme; Teva Canada Innovation. Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi-Genzyme; EMD Serono. Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); Alexion; BiogenIdec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi-Genzyme; Hoffman La-Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada Innovation­. Received research or educational grants from: Sanofi-Genzyme Canada; Hoffman-La Roche; EMD Inc.