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For the estimated 2.3 million people worldwide living with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS), cognitive impairment and physical disability can play a prevalent role.1-7
The impact of RMS on physical function is well established. Up to 80% of patients with RMS will experience some form of physical disability within 10 to 15 years of their diagnosis.2 In addition, while further studies are needed, measuring brain volume loss (BVL) may be important to monitoring the condition. Through the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), changes in white and grey matter of the brain can be detected. Researchers previously assumed RMS primarily affected the white matter, but recent research suggests loss of grey matter is the main driver of the pathological disease progression of RMS, making it a clinically relevant target to address overall RMS disease burden.8,9
“The neurodegenerative aspects of RMS caused by brain volume loss have severe clinical implications on cognitive function and day-to-day activities for patients,” said Ralph H.B. Benedict, PhD, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and professor of neurology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. “By expanding our understanding of brain volume loss, an opportunity exists to enhance monitoring patients’ conditions and manage them accordingly.”
Physical and cognitive symptoms of RMS
Physical symptoms associated with RMS include difficulty walking, muscle weakness, balance problems and spasticity—which can impact a patient’s ability to work and participate in social events.2,3
Commonly seen cognitive symptoms include slowed processing of information and memory impairment.10,11 About half of patients are affected by cognitive changes, which usually manifest later in the disease.
The impact of physical and cognitive impairment
Mobility impairment is common in patients with RMS. In a 2013 study of 27,918 patients in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis registry, 45% of patients with RMS between the ages of 18 and 64 needed a mobility device to help them walk.4 Additionally, 50% of patients said they had difficulty with daily activities 15 years after diagnosis.4
From a cognitive perspective, volume loss of the whole brain and of the thalamus (a grey matter structure) have been correlated with cognitive decline, which can impact patients’ lives.6,12,13 RMS BVL rates are greatest at disease onset, affecting approximately half of patients in the earliest stages of disease, and are greater in younger patients.8,9,14-17
“Cognitive dysfunction is associated with interference with daily tasks, depression and socioeconomic challenges,"10,11 said Dr. Benedict. “Commonly recognized domains of cognitive impairment include diminished cognitive processing speed—the primary factor impacting employment—as well as episodic memory and executive function.”10,18,19
Figure 1
Monitoring RMS
Early detection of cognitive impairment with quantitative measurement tools can help practitioners understand how their patients are progressing.18 In addition to its use in diagnosis and prognosis, MRI is valuable for monitoring purposes in patients with RMS. The presence of active lesions on brain MRI, either at baseline or during the first year of treatment, has been shown to be a useful predictive measure of disease activity.20 In 2018, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommended the use of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test to assess cognitive processing speed.10
Physical symptoms and their progression are often measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDDS). This scale helps quantify the physical effects of RMS and gives healthcare providers a reference from which to monitor changes in function over time.21
One treatment option to consider
One treatment option for patients with RMS is ZEPOSIA (ozanimod), a prescription pill for adults with RMS. ZEPOSIA is indicated for the treatment of RMS, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.22,23 It is not known if ZEPOSIA is safe and effective in children.23
The efficacy of ZEPOSIA was demonstrated in two randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, active comparator-controlled clinical trials of similar design in patients with RMS. Patients in SUNBEAM (Study 1) were treated until the last enrolled patient completed one year of treatment. Patients in RADIANCE (Study 2) were treated for 24 months. Both studies included patients who had experienced at least one relapse within the prior year or one relapse within the prior two years with evidence of at least a gadolinium-enhancing (GdE) lesion in the prior year and had an EDSS score from 0 to 5.0 at baseline. Patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis were excluded.23
Patients were randomized to receive either ZEPOSIA 0.92 mg, given orally once daily beginning with a dosage titration or weekly intramuscular AVONEX® (interferon (IFN) beta-1a). Confirmed disability progression was evaluated in a pooled analysis of SUNBEAM and RADIANCE. In SUNBEAM, a total of 895 patients were randomized to receive ZEPOSIA (n=447) or IFN beta-1a (n=448). In RADIANCE, a total of 874 patients were randomized to receive ZEPOSIA (n=433) or IFN beta-1a (n=441).23
SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
ZEPOSIA is associated with the following warnings and precautions: infections, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, bradyarrhythmia and atrioventricular conduction delays, liver injury, fetal risk, increased blood pressure, respiratory effects, macular edema, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, unintended additive immunosuppressive effects from prior treatment with immunosuppressive or immune-modulating drugs, severe increase in multiple sclerosis disability after stopping ZEPOSIA and immune system effects after stopping ZEPOSIA.
Please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
The primary endpoint of both SUNBEAM and RADIANCE was the annualized relapse rate (ARR) over the treatment period (SUNBEAM) and 24 months (RADIANCE). Additional outcome measures included the number of new or enlarging MRI T2 hyperintense lesions over 12 and 24 months, the number of MRI T1 Gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions at 12 and 24 months, and the time to confirmed disability progression, defined as at least a one-point increase from baseline EDSS, confirmed after 3 months and after 6 months. Results showed powerful efficacy in reducing ARR, GdE brain lesions and new/enlarging T2 lesions vs AVONEX23:
Nine of 10 patients showed no confirmed three-month disability progression. There was no statistically significant difference in the three-month and six-month confirmed disability progression between ZEPOSIA and IFN beta-1a-treated patients over two years (7.6% of patients treated with ZEPOSIA (n=67/880) experienced three-month confirmed disability progression, as measured by EDSS, similar to IFN beta-1a (7.8%; n=69/889) (P=nonsignificant)).22,23
Post-hoc analysis of the DAYBREAK open label extension study (patients who completed SUNBEAM and enrolled in DAYBREAK) showed 74% of patients receiving ZEPOSIA 0.92 mg were categorized as improved or remained stable in cognitive process speed as measured by the SDMT at 60 months of treatment.26,*Score change of greater than or equal to four points was considered clinically meaningful.
ZEPOSIA has a well-established safety profile.‡ In RMS, for clinical trials, as of May 19, 2023, and in the post-marketing setting, as of April 30, 2023, ZEPOSIA has approximately 40,000 patient years of total exposure.27
Safety was comparable to AVONEX in overall incidence of adverse events in clinical trials. Overall incidence of adverse reactions for ZEPOSIA vs AVONEX at one year was 59.8% and 75.5%, respectively, and at two years was 74.7% and 83.0%, respectively. Across two head-to-head trials, the most common adverse reactions with an incidence of at least 2% in patients treated with ZEPOSIA and at least 1% greater than AVONEX, respectively, were as follows: upper respiratory infectiona, 26% (vs 23%); hepatic transaminase elevationb, 10% (vs 5%); orthostatic hypotension, 4% (vs 3%); urinary tract infection, 4% (vs 3%); back pain, 4% (vs 3%); hypertensionc, 4% (vs 2%); and upper abdominal pain, 2% (vs 1%). Data are not an adequate basis for comparison of rates between ZEPOSIA and the active control.
Severe adverse reactions: The rate of severe adverse reactions at one year for ZEPOSIA was 1.6% vs 2.2% for AVONEX and the rate at two years for ZEPOSIA was 3.5% vs 4.3% for AVONEX.
Serious adverse reactions: The rate of serious adverse reactions at one year for ZEPOSIA was 2.9% vs 2.5% for AVONEX and the rate at two years for ZEPOSIA was 6.5% vs 6.4% for AVONEX.22,23,28 Please see the full Prescribing Information for additional SUNBEAM and RADIANCE data.
Generally similar safety has been seen in the ongoing long-term extension study; nearly 10 years† of exposure.22,23,28,29
INDICATIONS
ZEPOSIA®(ozanimod)is indicated for the treatment of:
ZEPOSIA 0.92 mg capsules are for oral use.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications:
Infections: ZEPOSIA may increase the susceptibility to infections. Life-threatening and rare fatal infections have occurred in patients receiving ZEPOSIA. Obtain a recent (i.e., within 6 months or after discontinuation of prior MS or UC therapy) complete blood count (CBC) including lymphocyte count before initiation of ZEPOSIA. Delay initiation of ZEPOSIA in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved. Consider interruption of treatment with ZEPOSIA if a patient develops a serious infection. Continue monitoring for infections up to 3 months after discontinuing ZEPOSIA.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain that typically occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability.
PML has been reported in patients treated with S1P receptor modulators, including ZEPOSIA, and other MS and UC therapies and has been associated with some risk factors. If PML is suspected, withhold ZEPOSIA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
If confirmed, treatment with ZEPOSIA should be discontinued.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) has been reported in MS patients treated with S1P receptor modulators who developed PML and subsequently discontinued treatment. IRIS presents as a clinical decline in the patient’s condition that may be rapid, can lead to serious neurological complications or death, and is often associated with characteristic changes on MRI. The time to onset of IRIS in patients with PML was generally within a few months after S1P receptor modulator discontinuation. Monitoring for development of IRIS and appropriate treatment of the associated inflammation should be undertaken.
Bradyarrhythmia and Atrioventricular Conduction Delays: Since initiation of ZEPOSIA may result in a transient decrease in heart rate and atrioventricular conduction delays, dose titration is recommended to help reduce cardiac effects. Initiation of ZEPOSIA without dose escalation may result in greater decreases in heart rate. If treatment with ZEPOSIA is considered, advice from a cardiologist should be sought for those individuals:
Liver Injury: Elevations of aminotransferases may occur in patients receiving ZEPOSIA. Obtain liver function tests, if not recently available (i.e., within 6 months), before initiation of ZEPOSIA. Patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction should have hepatic enzymes checked and ZEPOSIA should be discontinued if significant liver injury is confirmed.
Fetal Risk: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Based on animal studies, ZEPOSIA may cause fetal harm. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 3 months after stopping ZEPOSIA. Women who become pregnant while taking ZEPOSIA for MS may enroll in the ZEPOSIA pregnancy registry by calling 1-877-301-9314 or visiting www.zeposiapregnancyregistry.com.
Increased Blood Pressure: Increase in systolic pressure was observed after about 3 months of treatment and persisted throughout treatment. Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment and managed appropriately. Certain foods that may contain very high amounts of tyramine could cause severe hypertension in patients taking ZEPOSIA. Patients should be advised to avoid foods containing a very large amount of tyramine while taking ZEPOSIA.
Respiratory Effects: ZEPOSIA may cause a decline in pulmonary function. Spirometric evaluation of respiratory function should be performed during therapy, if clinically indicated.
Macular Edema: S1P modulators have been associated with an increased risk of macular edema. Patients with a history of uveitis or diabetes mellitus are at increased risk. Patients with a history of these conditions should have an ophthalmic evaluation of the fundus, including the macula, prior to treatment initiation and regular follow-up examinations. An ophthalmic evaluation is recommended in all patients at any time if there is a change in vision. Continued use of ZEPOSIA in patients with macular edema has not been evaluated; potential benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered if deciding whether ZEPOSIA should be discontinued.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES): Rare cases of PRES have been reported in patients receiving a S1P receptor modulator. If a ZEPOSIA-treated patient develops unexpected neurological or psychiatric symptoms or any symptom/sign suggestive of an increase in intracranial pressure, a complete physical and neurological examination should be conducted. Symptoms of PRES are usually reversible but may evolve into ischemic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. If PRES is suspected, treatment with ZEPOSIA should be discontinued.
Unintended Additive Immunosuppressive Effects From Prior Immunosuppressive or Immune-Modulating Drugs: When switching from drugs with prolonged immune effects, the half-life and mode of action of these drugs must be considered to avoid unintended additive immunosuppressive effects while at the same time minimizing risk of disease reactivation. Initiating treatment with ZEPOSIA after treatment with alemtuzumab is not recommended.
Severe Increase in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disability After Stopping ZEPOSIA: In MS, severe exacerbation of disease, including disease rebound, has been rarely reported after discontinuation of a S1P receptor modulator. The possibility of severe exacerbation of disease should be considered after stopping ZEPOSIA treatment so patients should be monitored upon discontinuation. After stopping ZEPOSIA in the setting of PML, monitor for development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML-IRIS).
Immune System Effects After Stopping ZEPOSIA: After discontinuing ZEPOSIA, the median time for lymphocyte counts to return to the normal range was 30 days with approximately 90% of patients in the normal range within 3 months. Use of immunosuppressants within this period may lead to an additive effect on the immune system, therefore caution should be applied when initiating other drugs 4 weeks after the last dose of ZEPOSIA.
Most Common Adverse Reactions that occurred in the MS clinical trials of ZEPOSIA-treated patients (≥4%): upper respiratory infection, hepatic transaminase elevation, orthostatic hypotension, urinary tract infection, back pain, and hypertension.
In the UC clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions that occurred in ≥4% of ZEPOSIA-treated patients and greater than in patients who received placebo were upper respiratory infection, liver test increased, and headache.
Use in Specific Populations: Hepatic Impairment: Dosage adjustment in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B) is required, and use of ZEPOSIA in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) is not recommended.
For additional safety information, please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
References: