A plain language summary on assessing the long-term effectiveness of cladribine tablets in people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis: The CLASSIC-MS study

Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2023 Oct;13(5):261-268. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2023-0018. Epub 2023 Aug 3.

Abstract

What is this summary about?: Previous studies have shown that people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with cladribine tablets have fewer relapses (where new symptoms occur or existing symptoms get worse for 24 hours or more) and delayed disability progression (slowing down of the disease getting worse). The CLASSIC-MS study looked at the long-term effectiveness of treatment with cladribine tablets in people living with MS who had taken part in the original CLARITY and CLARITY Extension clinical studies.

What were the results?: Results showed that people treated with cladribine tablets maintained their mobility (the ability to move freely) for longer and experienced other positive effects long after their treatment ended, including being less likely to need further treatment for their MS.

What do the results mean?: The results obtained from CLASSIC-MS show that the benefits of taking cladribine tablets carry on even when patients stop taking the treatment.

Keywords: cladribine tablets (Mavenclad®); lay summary; mobility; multiple sclerosis; relapses.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cladribine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / drug therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Tablets / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cladribine
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tablets