AAN News A Trial Too Short...ASCEND raises the view that Nataizumab really did work in Progressive MS

ASCEND Phase 3 Trial Open-Label Extension Study Results: Natalizumab May Delay Disability Progression in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) 
Hans-Peter Hartung , Douglas Arnold, Mark Freedman , Eva Havrdova , Douglas Jeffery , Raju Kapoor , Aaron Miller , Finn Sellebjerg , Haihong Li, Nisha Lucas, Diego Cadavid, Nolan Campbell, Pei-Ran Ho, Deborah Steiner

Objective: To investigate long-term (>2 years) effects of natalizumab treatment in the ASCEND open-label extension. 
Background: During ASCEND’s 2-year randomized treatment period, natalizumab did not delay disability progression in SPMS patients with advanced disease assessed by the primary composite endpoint (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS], Timed 25-Foot Walk [T25FW], and 9-Hole Peg Test [9HPT]), but did slow progression on the 9HPT (upper-limb) component. 
Design/Methods: Patients who completed the 2-year, randomized, placebo-controlled treatment phase and entered the extension phase received open-label natalizumab. Original treatment assignments remained blinded to investigators and patients throughout the extension. Disability progression was assessed for up to 3 years using the primary composite endpoint. 
Results: Of 888 randomized, dosed ASCEND patients, 566 (63.7%) participated in the open-label extension (switched-from-placebo: n=274, median follow-up=156.9 weeks; natalizumab-continuers: n=292, median followup=160.4 weeks). Baseline characteristics and disease history were similar between groups and consistent with the overall ASCEND population. Fewer natalizumab-continuers than switched-from-placebo patients were composite endpoint progressors (52% vs 61%; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47- 0.94; P=0.02). Natalizumab reduced 9HPT progression (19% natalizumab-continuers vs 28% switched-from placebo; adjusted OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.39-0.88; P=0.01). T25FW and EDSS progression comparisons favored natalizumab (T25FW, adjusted OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.57-1.12; P=0.20; EDSS, adjusted OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.48- 1.10; P=0.13). 
Conclusions: The ASCEND open-label extension showed clinically meaningful benefits of natalizumab on disability progression in advanced SPMS patients. Consistent with 2‑year results, the largest treatment benefit was seen on preserving upper-limb function (9HPT), but preservation of ambulatory function (T25FW and EDSS) was also observed, leading to overall benefit on the primary composite endpoint. These results suggest that, while some benefits are evident after natalizumab initiation, full benefits on disability progression, particularly lower-limb function, in advanced SPMS patients may not be evident until after longer treatment duration.  


Natalizumab treatment in progressive MS failed or did it? If you look at the pre-described endpoint if failed, but thinkhand and the conclusion is diferent and it worked, so the length-dependent hypothesis holds up. 

http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com/2015/03/length-dependent-hypothesis-sensory-vs.html


http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com/2014/01/therapeutic-lag-is-it-time-for-new.html

Is multiple sclerosis a length-dependent central axonopathy? The case for therapeutic lag and the asynchronous progressive MS hypotheses.Giovannoni G, Cutter G, Pia-Sormani M, Belachew S, Hyde R, Koendgen H, Knappertz V, Tomic D, Leppert D, Herndon R, Wheeler-Kingshott CA, Ciccarelli O, Selwood D, di Cantogno EV, Ben-Amor AF, Matthews P, Carassiti D, Baker D, Schmierer K.Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2017 Feb;12:70-78.


The  longer nerve tracts get more damage and so hand function is saved, but if you bring therapeutic lag, which means trials need to be longer we see if the trial would have been three years then the trial would be considered positive.

When this paper appears I am sure ProfG will pipe-up with "I told you so"

However, further evidence that people with progressive MS should have access to DMT

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