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Neurology and Therapy
Published in: Neurology and Therapy 4/2022

Open Access 01-09-2022 | Multiple Sclerosis | Commentary

Unmet Needs and Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: Focus on the Role of Ofatumumab

Authors: Matthew Craner, Yaser Al Malik, Fawzi A. Babtain, Foziah Alshamrani, Mona M. Alkhawajah, Nora Alfugham, Rumaiza H. Al-Yafeai, Salman Aljarallah, Seraj Makkawi, Shireen Qureshi, Marina Ziehn, Hazem Wahba

Published in: Neurology and Therapy | Issue 4/2022

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Abstract

Treatment-pattern data suggest that some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) may not be receiving optimal treatment. A virtual meeting of ten expert Saudi neurologists, held on October 23, 2020, discussed unmet needs in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), and the role of ofatumumab as a suitable treatment in the KSA. Multiple unmet needs were identified: poor quality of life, with high rates of depression and anxiety; a negative impact of MS on work ability; treatment choices that may compromise efficacy for safety or vice versa; inconvenient or complex dosage regimens; and limited access to patient education and support. Early use of highly effective disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) results in better patient outcomes than starting with less effective treatments and downstream escalation, but this strategy may be underutilized in the KSA. B cells are important in MS pathogenesis, and treatments targeting these may improve clinical outcomes. Ofatumumab differs from other B cell–depleting therapies, being a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to CD20 at a completely separate site from the epitope bound by ocrelizumab, and being administered by subcutaneous injection. When compared with teriflunomide in two randomized, phase 3 clinical trials in patients with RRMS, ofatumumab was associated with significant reductions in annualized relapse rates, rates of confirmed disability worsening, and active lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. The incidence of adverse events, including serious infections, was similar with the two treatments. Ofatumumab is a valuable first- or second-line treatment option for RRMS in the KSA, particularly for patients who would benefit from highly effective DMTs early in the disease course, and for those who prefer the convenience of self-injection. Future research will clarify the position of ofatumumab in RRMS treatment, and comparative cost data may support the broad inclusion of ofatumumab in formularies across the KSA.
Footnotes
1
Rituximab is not currently approved as a treatment for MS but is commonly used off-label for reducing relapse risk. Any mention of rituximab for the treatment of RRMS in this manuscript refers to the personal opinions of the experts/advisors and its off-label use in their clinical practice.
 
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Metadata
Title
Unmet Needs and Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: Focus on the Role of Ofatumumab
Authors
Matthew Craner
Yaser Al Malik
Fawzi A. Babtain
Foziah Alshamrani
Mona M. Alkhawajah
Nora Alfugham
Rumaiza H. Al-Yafeai
Salman Aljarallah
Seraj Makkawi
Shireen Qureshi
Marina Ziehn
Hazem Wahba
Publication date
01-09-2022
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Neurology and Therapy / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 2193-8253
Electronic ISSN: 2193-6536
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-022-00401-4

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