Patients treated with ponesimod demonstrate reductions in serum neurofilament light chain levels

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 94; no. Suppl 1; p. A72
• Main Authors: Talbot, Jordan, Kuhle Jens, Ait-Tihyaty, Maria, Singh, Amita, Ibrahim, Turkoz, Saad Ziad, Burcklen Michel, Wong, Janice, Sidorenko Tatiana, Kappos Ludwig
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.11.2023
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/JNNP-2023-ABN.221

BackgroundIn the Phase 3 OPTIMUM study (NCT02425644), patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) treated with ponesimod (20 mg) had greater reduction in the annualized relapse rate compared with patients treated with teriflunomide (14 mg).ObjectiveTo investigate change from baseline to Week 108 in serum NfL concentration in the ponesimod and teriflunomide treatment groups in the OPTIMUM study.MethodsPaired serum samples were collected at baseline and Week 108. Serum samples were analyzed for NfL concentrations (pg/mL) using single molecule array (SIMOA) immunoassay. P-values for within group differences were based on paired t-tests. P-values for between treatment group comparisons were from an ANCOVA model with fixed effects for covariates.Results513 patients (ponesimod, n=247; teriflunomide, n=266) had serum samples collected at baseline and Week 108. Comparing ponesimod and teriflunomide treatment groups, there was a statistically sig- nificant difference in the least squares (LS) mean of the percent change from baseline to Week 108 in serum NfL concentration (difference in LS-mean -29.9%, standard error 4.91%, p<0.001).ConclusionFor patients with RMS in the OPTIMUM study, ponesimod treatment was associated with a significant decrease in serum NfL concentrations after 108 weeks of treatment, while teriflunomide treatment over this period was not.