To Örebro University

Background: Subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a (PegIFN) was approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Europe 2014. Phase II and III studies have shown that PegIFN reduces relapse rate and reduces the tendency to deteriorate disabilities. However, the long-term safety is important, therefore PegINF is included in the Swedish “Immunomodulation and Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology Study 6” (IMSE 6). Which characterizes the real-world profile of PegIFN, including efficacy, safety, tolerability and patient outcome parameters.

Objectives: To follow-up the long-term safety and effectiveness of PegIFN in a real-world setting.

Methods: Approximately 60 collaborating neurology clinics continuously recruited PegIFN patients and documented clinical and demographic data in the nationwide Swedish Neuro Registry (NeuroReg). Data were obtained from NeuroReg between June 2015 and April 2018 for the IMSE 6 study.

Results: A total of 324 patients (78% female; 88% RRMS; mean age at treatments start 43 years) were followed up to 34 months (mean 15 months) with 26% treatment naïve and 49% switched from other injectables. Mean duration from initial symptom(s) to treatment start was 114 months, and 69 months from MS diagnosis to treatment start. In total, 169 patients discontinued for vari-ous reasons (60% adverse events, 24% lack of effect) and switched mainly to rituximab (63 patients, 37%). The discontinuation rate at 12 months was 42.6%. Relapses before treatment were reduced from 207 to 130/1000 patient years during treatment. With 55% having no relapse and 9% having 1 relapse during treatment period (35% missing data). After 12 months, all clinical effectiveness measures (Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), European Quality of Life - 5-Dimension test (EQ-5D), Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and the mean Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)) remained stable. A total number of 9 adverse events (6 serious: 1 gastrointestinal disorder, 2 general disorder and administrations site, 2 skin, 1 reproductive) were reported to Swedish Medical Product Agency (MPA).

Conclusions: NeuroReg proves to function well as a post-marketing drug surveillance platform, providing data regarding drug effectiveness and AEs. This real-world study presentation from IMSE 6 shows a stable efficacy and safety profile in long-term clinical use.