Safety and efficacy of chronic weekly rozanolixizumab in generalized myasthenia gravis: the randomized open-label extension MG0004 study.

BACKGROUND: In the Phase 3 MycarinG study (NCT03971422), six once-weekly subcutaneous infusions of rozanolixizumab significantly improved myasthenia gravis (MG)-specific outcomes versus placebo in patients with acetylcholine receptor or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase autoantibody-positive generalized MG (gMG). Following completion of MycarinG, patients could enroll in the open-label extension MG0004 study (NCT04124965) to receive chronic weekly rozanolixizumab. METHODS: Patients were re-randomized 1:1 to once-weekly rozanolixizumab 7 or 10 mg/kg for up to 52 infusions. The primary endpoints were the occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs leading to rozanolixizumab discontinuation. After ≥6 visits/infusions patients could switch to the MG0007 study (NCT04650854) to receive cyclic rozanolixizumab treatment. RESULTS: In MG0004, 70 patients received rozanolixizumab 7 mg/kg (n = 35) or 10 mg/kg (n = 35). Mean treatment duration was 22.9 and 23.7 weeks, respectively, due to rollover into MG0007. TEAEs were reported in 60/70 (85.7%) patients; most were mild/moderate. The most frequently reported TEAEs were headache (25/70 [35.7%]), diarrhea (13/70 [18.6%]) and decreased blood immunoglobulin G (11/70 [15.7%]). There were no opportunistic, serious or severe infections, serious or severe hypersensitivity or injection-site reactions, any anaphylactic reactions or albumin or lipid abnormalities. Maximum mean reduction from baseline in MG Activities of Daily Living score was 3.1 in the 7 mg/kg group and 4.1 in the 10 mg/kg group. CONCLUSION: Chronic weekly rozanolixizumab for up to 52 infusions was generally well tolerated, and clinically relevant improvements across MG-specific outcomes were maintained, supporting the long-term use of rozanolixizumab in patients with gMG. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04124965 (registered October 11, 2019)

Comprehensive Evaluation of Corticospinal Tract Metabolites in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Using Whole-Brain 1H MR Spectroscopy

Changes in the distribution of the proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) observed metabolites N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), total-choline (Cho), and total-creatine (Cre) in the entire intracranial corticospinal tract (CST) including the primary motor cortex were evaluated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study included 38 sporadic definite-ALS subjects and 70 age-matched control subjects. All received whole-brain MR imaging and spectroscopic imaging scans at 3T and clinical neurological assessments including percentage maximum forced vital capacity (FVC) and upper motor neuron (UMN) function. Differences in each individual metabolite and its ratio distributions were evaluated in the entire intracranial CST and in five segments along the length of the CST (at the levels of precentral gyrus (PCG), centrum semiovale (CS), corona radiata (CR), posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC) and cerebral peduncle (CP)). Major findings included significantly decreased NAA and increased Cho and Cho/NAA in the entire intracranial CST, with the largest differences for Cho/NAA in all the groups. Significant correlations between Cho/NAA in the entire intracranial CST and the right finger tap rate were noted. Of the ten bilateral CST segments, significantly decreased NAA in 4 segments, increased Cho in 5 segments and increased Cho/NAA in all the segments were found. Significant left versus right CST asymmetries were found only in ALS for Cho/NAA in the CS. Among the significant correlations found between Cho/NAA and the clinical assessments included the left-PCG versus FVC and right finger tap rate, left -CR versus FVC and right finger tap rate, and left PLIC versus FVC and right foot tap rate. These results demonstrate that a significant and bilaterally asymmetric alteration of metabolites occurs along the length of the entire intracranial CST in ALS, and the MRS metrics in the segments correlate with measures of disease severity and UMN function

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous efgartigimod in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (ADHERE): a multicentre, randomised-withdrawal, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial

Background: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system that can lead to severe disability from muscle weakness and sensory disturbances. Around a third of patients do not respond to currently available treatments, and many patients with a partial response have residual neurological impairment, highlighting the need for effective alternatives. Efgartigimod alfa, a human IgG1 antibody Fc fragment, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 in adults with CIDP. Methods: ADHERE, a multistage, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, enrolled participants with CIDP from 146 clinical sites from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Participants with evidence of clinically meaningful deterioration entered an open-label phase of weekly 1000 mg subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 for no longer than 12 weeks (stage A). Those with confirmed evidence of clinical improvement (ECI; treatment responders) entered a randomised-withdrawal phase of 1000 mg subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 weekly treatment versus placebo for a maximum of 48 weeks (stage B). Participants were randomised (1:1) through interactive response technology and stratified by their adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (aINCAT) score change during stage A and their most recent CIDP medication within 6 months before screening. Investigators, the clinical research organisation, and participants were masked to the treatment. The primary endpoint in stage A, evaluated in the stage A safety population, was confirmed ECI (≥1 points aINCAT decrease, ≥4 points [centile metric] Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale increase, or ≥8 kPa grip strength increase after four injections and two consecutive visits). The primary endpoint in stage B, evaluated in the modified intention-to-treat population, was the risk of relapse (time to first aINCAT increase of ≥1 points). ADHERE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04281472) and EudraCT (2019-003076-39) and is completed. Findings: Between April 15, 2020, and May 11, 2023, 629 participants were screened; 322 (114 female, 208 male) entered stage A, of whom 214 (66%, 95% CI 61·0-71·6) had confirmed ECI. In stage B, 221 participants were randomised (79 female, 142 male; 111 to subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20, 110 to placebo). Subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 significantly reduced the risk of relapse versus placebo (hazard ratio 0·39 [95% CI 0·25-0·61]; p<0·0001). 31 (27·9% [19·6-36·3]) participants given subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 had a relapse versus 59 (53·6% [44·3-63·0]) given placebo. In stage A, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 204 (63%) participants and serious TEAEs in 21 (7%). In stage B, TEAEs occurred in 71 (64%) participants on subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 and 62 (56%) participants on placebo, and serious TEAEs in six (5%) on subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 and six (5%) on placebo. Three deaths occurred: two in stage A (one non-related and one unlikely related to treatment) and one in stage B (placebo group). Interpretation: ADHERE showed the efficacy of subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 in reducing the risk of relapse versus placebo in people with CIDP who responded to treatment. Further studies are needed to provide data on the longer-term effects of efgartigimod alfa and how it compares with currently available treatment options. Funding: argenx

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Assessment: the clinical usefulness of botulinum toxin-A in treating neurologic disorders

Botulism is the potentially fatal poisoning that can occur if the bacteria Clostridia botulinum manages to grow in improperly canned or preserved food. The bacteria produces seven closely related toxins which can paralyze muscles. However, the same mechanism that causes paralysis can also be used to therapeutic advantage. In particular, botulinum toxin A, also called Botox, causes paralysis by preventing the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Botox was first used neurologically in the treatment of strabismus, or eye deviation. Botox-induced blockage of some nerve endings permitted more balanced control by the muscles of the eye. Since that time, Botox has been applied to other neurologic conditions. Blepharospasm is involuntary muscle contraction that results in closure of the eyelids, either intermittent or sustained. In its more severe forms, it renders the patient functionally blind. Botox has been proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of blepharospasm and may be considered a primary treatment for that condition. Likewise, Botox may be used in the treatment of spasmodic torticollis, in which involuntary muscle contractions result in neck movements. Other conditions that may be treated by Botox include hemifacial spasm (muscle spasms of one side of the face), spasmodic dysphonia (in which muscle spasms disrupt speech), and oromandibular dystonia (involuntary movements of the jaw, tongue, and lower facial muscles). However, in these conditions, treatment depends on the individual muscles involved. More research is needed to establish the effectiveness of Botox across the spectrum of cases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)Academi