Rationale: Ocrelizumab is widely and effectively used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Phase II studies and data from large patient cohorts indicate that rituximab, another anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is probably equally effective and safe as ocrelizumab in the treatment of RMS. An advantage of rituximab is a considerably lower price. Therefore we will start a study aimed at demonstrating non-inferiority of rituximab compared to ocrelizumab in RMS. If non-inferiority of rituximab can be shown, important reductions in the cost of treatment of RMS will be possible, without loss of efficacy. Objective: Evaluating the efficacy and safety of ritixumab compared to ocrelizumab in the treatmens of RMS. Study design: Randomized double blind multi-centre non-inferiority study of rituximab compared to ocrelizumab in 200 patients with RMS. The trial duration will be 30 months Study population: The study population consists of 200 adult RMS patiens with an indication to start anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment. Intervention: Patients will be randomized 1:1 into the standard group (ocrelizumab treatment) or the experimental group (rituximab treatment). Main study parameters: To conclude non-inferiority of rituximab there will be one primary endpoint: the proportion of patients free of inflammatory disease activity (defined as: new or enlarged T2 lesions) between week 24 (M6) and week 96 (M24) of treatment in each arm. Secondary trial endpoints are presence and number of clinical relapses,T2 and contrast enhancing lesion volumes, brain volume and brain volume changes, disease progression (defined as clinically relevant change on any of the measures: EDSS, T25FW, 9HPT, SDMT), biochemical parameters such as lipidomics and neurofilament light (NfL), immunological parameters, safety as measured by the number of (serious) adverse events ((S)AE), quality of life (EQ-5D-L) and treatment satisfaction (TSQM) and patient reported measures of MS impact (MSIS-29) and well-being (questionnaire on physical complaints) Nature and extent of the burden and risk: Patients included in this study will be treated and monitored by MRI, clinical tests and laboratory tests according to existing protocols and will not be exposed to extra or unknown risks. They will have extra annual questionnaires and larger blood samples at some time points. There is extensive experience with both rituximab and ocrelizumab as efficacious and safe treatments of RMS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
200
Treatment with rituximab
Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc
Amsterdam, Netherlands
RECRUITINGProportion of patients free of inflammatory disease activity
Proportion of patients with no new or enlarged T2 lesions on brain MRI between month 6 and month 24
Time frame: between month 6 and month 24
Presence and number of clinical relapses
Clinical relapses during treatment
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
Contrast enhancing lesions
Proportion of patients with no contrast enhancing lesions on brain MRI
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
Average number of T2 lesions on brain MRI
The average number of new/enlarged T2 lesions between baseline, month 6 and month 24 on brain MRI
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
Disability progression during follow-up
Disability progression measured on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
Disability progression during follow-up
Disability progression measured on the timed 25 foot walk test (T25FW)
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
Disability progression during follow-up
Disability progression measured on the Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT)
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
Disability progression during follow-up
Disability progression measured on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test(SDMT)
Time frame: Baseline, month 6, month 24
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