Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is the most feared complication when natalizumab (NTZ) is used in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). The risk of PML increases after 18 months of treatment. When switching from NTZ to another disease modifying treatment (DMT) in these MS patients with an active disease, there is a high risk of inflammatory reactivation. Nonetheless, a washout period of several weeks is necessary before initiating a new DMT. The primary purpose of this protocol is to investigate the impact of high dose of oral methylprednisolone, given once a month during the washout period between NTZ and Fingolimod (FTY).
Patients with MS receiving NTZ for at least 18 months and without any disease activity during the previous year will be eligible. Included patients will receive either methylprednisolone (1 gramme, 1 day every 4 weeks for a total of 3 grammes) or undistinguishable capsules of placebo. Every patient will initiate a treatment with FTY 7 weeks after the last NTZ perfusion. Methylprednisolone or placebo will be taken 4, 8 and 12 weeks (W4, W8 and W12) after NTZ discontinuation. A spinal and brain MRI will be performed at baseline (last NTZ perfusion, noted W0) and 16 to 18 weeks after. The last clinical follow-up will be made after 24 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
56
Included patients will receive either methylprednisolone (1 gramme, 1 day every 4 weeks for a total of 3 grammes) or undistinguishable capsules of placebo
Included patients will receive either methylprednisolone (1 gramme, 1 day every 4 weeks for a total of 3 grammes) or undistinguishable capsules of placebo
Patients with MS receiving NTZ for at least 18 months and without any disease activity during the previous year will be eligible. Included patients will receive either methylprednisolone (1 gramme, 1 day every 4 weeks for a total of 3 grammes) or undistinguishable capsules of placebo
Every patient will initiate a treatment with FTY 7 weeks after the last NTZ perfusion. Methylprednisolone or placebo will be taken 4, 8 and 12 weeks (W4, W8 and W12) after NTZ discontinuation.
CHU Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand, France
RECRUITINGefficacy of high dose methylprednisolone compared to that of a placebo
To evaluate the efficacy of high dose methylprednisolone given once a month during the washout period for the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod, compared to that of a placebo, on multiple sclerosis inflammatory rebound evaluated using MRI, 16 to 18 weeks after natalizumab discontinuation and clinically at 6 months
Time frame: at 6 months
comparison of the number of new T2 or gadolinium enhanced lesions on MRI in the 2 treatment groups
Time frame: at 4 months
comparison of the number of MS relapses during the 6 months after natalizumab discontinuation, in the 2 treatment groups
Time frame: at 6 months
potential correlations between previous MS activity and the risk of relapse or inflammatory rebound on MRI after natalizumab discontinuation
To study the potential correlations between previous MS activity (annualised relapse rate during the year before natalizumab initiation) and the risk of relapse or inflammatory rebound on MRI after natalizumab discontinuation, in the whole group
Time frame: at 6 months
adverse effects of high dose oral prednisolone
Time frame: at 6 months
use of methylprednisolone once every 4 weeks during the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod in patients with MS
To perform a cost utility analysis in order to evaluate the use of methylprednisolone once every 4 weeks during the switch between natalizumab and fingolimod in patients with MS
Time frame: at 6 months
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