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COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Response in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Ofatumumab

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania sheds light on the impact of ofatumumab, an anti-CD20 B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody, on vaccination response in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The study aimed to assess humoral immune response (HIR) to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients treated with ofatumumab. Results show that a significant proportion of patients achieved HIR, with 53.9% at Assay No. 1 and 50.0% at Assay No. 2. Patients who received three vaccine doses had higher HIR rates than those who received two doses.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, aimed to assess the impact of ofatumumab on vaccination response in patients with RMS.
  • A total of 26 patients were enrolled in the study, with a median age of 42 years and a median treatment duration of 237 days.
  • HIR was achieved by 53.9% (14/26) of patients at Assay No. 1 and 50.0% (13/26) at Assay No. 2.
  • Patients who received three vaccine doses had higher HIR rates (70.0% at Assay No. 1 and 77.8% at Assay No. 2) compared to those who received two doses (46.7% at Assay No. 1 and 42.9% at Assay No. 2).
  • The study was open-label, single-arm, multicenter, and prospective, with a duration of 90 days.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders journal.

Statistics:

  • 26 patients were enrolled in the study, consisting of 18-55-year-olds with RMS.
  • 53.9% (14/26) of patients achieved HIR at Assay No. 1, with a 95% CI of 33.4 - 73.4%.
  • 50.0% (13/26) of patients achieved HIR at Assay No. 2, with a 95% CI of 29.9 - 70.1%.
  • 70.0% (7/10) of patients who received three vaccine doses had a higher HIR rate at Assay No. 1.
  • 77.8% (7/9) of patients who received three vaccine doses had a higher HIR rate at Assay No. 2.

Sources:

  • NewsRx LLC. University of Pennsylvania Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Humoral immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with ofatumumab). Information Technology Newsweekly. October 10, 2023; p 8.
  • Humoral immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with ofatumumab. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 2023;79:104967.

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