Efficacy of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: integrated analysis of the phase 3 trials

  • Vissia Viglietta
  • , David Miller
  • , Amit Bar-Or
  • , J. Theodore Phillips
  • , Douglas L. Arnold
  • , Krzysztof Selmaj
  • , Mariko Kita
  • , Michael Hutchinson
  • , Minhua Yang
  • , Ray Zhang
  • , Katherine T. Dawson
  • , Sarah I. Sheikh
  • , Robert J. Fox
  • , Ralf Gold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Obtain a more precise estimate of the efficacy of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF; also known as gastro-resistant DMF) in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and examine the consistency of DMF's effects across patient subgroups stratified by baseline demographic and disease characteristics. Methods: A prespecified integrated analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 DEFINE and CONFIRM trials was conducted. Results: The intent-to-treat population comprised 2301 patients randomized to receive placebo (n = 771) or DMF 240 mg twice daily (BID; n = 769) or three times daily (TID; n = 761). At 2 years, DMF BID and TID reduced the annualized relapse rate by 49% and 49% (both P < 0.0001), risk of relapse by 43% and 47% (both P < 0.0001), risk of 12-week confirmed disability progression by 32% (P = 0.0034) and 30% (P = 0.0059), and risk of 24-week confirmed disability progression by 29% (P = 0.0278) and 32% (P = 0.0177), respectively, compared with placebo. In a subset of patients (MRI cohort), DMF BID and TID reduced the mean number of new/enlarging T2-hyperintense lesions by 78% and 73%, gadolinium-enhancing lesion activity by 83% and 70%, and mean number of new nonenhancing T1-hypointense lesions by 65% and 64% (all P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). Effects were generally consistent across patient subgroups. Interpretation: The integrated analysis provides a more precise estimate of DMF's efficacy. DMF demonstrated a robust reduction in disease activity and a consistent therapeutic effect across patient subgroups.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-118
Number of pages16
JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2015
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Efficacy of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: integrated analysis of the phase 3 trials'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this