Addressing Diversity Gaps in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Research: Mirla Avila, MD

WATCH TIME: 3 minutes

"In the world of NMOSD, clinicians tend to see that patients of Hispanic or African descent tend to have a more aggressive course of the disease."

In the realm of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), there is a need for more comprehensive understanding on the efficacy and safety of approved treatments among Hispanic populations in the United States and Latin America. Inebilizumab (Uplizna; Horizon Therapeutics), an anti-CD19 B cell depleting antibody, received FDA approval in 2020 for the treatment of NMOSD in adults who are seropositive for aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4+). The phase 2/3 N-MOmentum trial (NCT02200770) which assessed inebilizumab treatment among patients with NMOSD included a diverse range of participants including those who self-identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Presented at the 2024 Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum, February 29 to March 2, by lead author Mirla Avila, MD,director of the Comprehensive Care MS Center, a subgroup analysis of N-MOmentum showed that Hispanic and Latin participants with AQP4+ NMOSD treated with inebilizumab had improved outcomes in comparison with the placebo.¹ Originally, the trial assessed the efficacy and safety of the agent in NMOSD with a 28-week randomized controlled period and an open-label period of at least 2 years. In this post hoc analysis, the primary end point was time to first adjudicated NMOSD attack in patients who self-identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Avila, who also serves an associate professor of neurology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, sat down with NeurologyLive® in an interview at the forum to discuss how the N-MOmentum trial addressed the lack of diversity in NMOSD clinical trials. She also spoke about the key findings regarding the response to therapy and safety profile for Hispanic and Latino patients in the trial. Additionally, Avila explained why it is crucial to include a more diverse range of patients in studies related to rare diseases like NMOSD.

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REFERENCES
1. Avila M, Diaz M, Vargas-Manotas J, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Inebilizumab in Hispanics and Latinos With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: N-MOmentum Study Subgroup Analysis. Presented at ACTRIMS Forum 2024; February 29 to March 2; West Palm Beach, Florida. P302.