The effectiveness of interferon beta versus glatiramer acetate and natalizumab versus fingolimod in a Polish real-world population

PLoS One. 2019 Oct 24;14(10):e0223863. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223863. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated in MS centres in Poland.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data of all Polish RRMS patients receiving DMTs were prospectively collected from 2014 to 2018 in electronic files using the Therapeutic Program Monitoring System (SMPT).

Results: The study included 10,764 RRMS patients treated with DMTs in first-line and 1,042 in second-line programmes. IFNβ more effectively lengthened the times to the first relapse, disability progression, and brain MRI activity than GA. After 2 and 4 years of follow-up, more patients on IFNβ showed no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) in comparison to GA (66.3% and 44.3% vs 55.2% and 33.2%, respectively; p<0.001). NAT more effectively reduced brain MRI activity than FTY (p = 0.001). More patients under NAT had NEDA-3 after 2 and 4 years of follow-up compared to FTY (66.2% and 42.1% vs 52.1% and 29.5%, respectively; p = 0.03). In adjusted analysis, a higher baseline Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) was a predictor of relapse (p<0.001) and NEDA-3 failure (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: IFNβ compared to GA and NAT compared to FTY more effectively reduced disease activity in a Polish population of RRMS patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride / therapeutic use*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glatiramer Acetate / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / epidemiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology
  • Natalizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Natalizumab
  • Glatiramer Acetate
  • Interferon-beta
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.