A to Z of MS Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)

Product name

Lemtrada - previously known as Campath

Alemtuzumab is an experimental drug treatment for people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis that is currently going through the licensing process with the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Alemtuzumab was licensed for use in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a type of cancer, and in organ transplantation under the name MabCampath. However, this licence was surrendered by the manufacturer, Genzyme, in August 2012 in advance of the potential new licence for MS. This was not due to safety, efficacy or supply reasons.

Results of two large phase III studies were published in 2012.

CARE-MS I
CARE-MS I was a two year trial that compared alemtuzumab and interferon beta 1a in 581 people in the first few years after diagnosis with relapsing remitting MS who had not had other disease modifying treatments.

Alemtuzumab reduced relapses by 55% compared to interferon beta 1a over the two years of the trial. 78% of people in the alemtuzumab group didn't have a relapse during the two years of the trial compared with 59% of the interferon group. Alemtuzumab also had a greater effect on disease progression, with 8% of the alemtuzumab group and 11% of interferon beta group showing a worsening in their EDSS score.

CARE-MS II
CARE-MS II was a two year trial that looked at 667 people who had continued to have relapses despite treatment with beta interferon.

The relapse rate of those on alemtuzumab was reduced by 49% compared to those on beta interferon 1a (Rebif), 65% of people in the alemtuzumab group didn't have a relapse during the two years of the trial compared with 49% of the interferon group. The risk of disease progression was also reduced by 42% compared to beta interferon, with 20% of the interferon group showing sustained accumulation of disability compared to 13% of the alemtuzumab group.

Side effects of alemtuzumab included autoimmune thyroid-related problems, which affected about 16% of participants, and ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) a bleeding disorder, which affected about 1%. Less serious side effects were common with 90% experiencing infusion site reactions and 77% reporting infections.

Progressive MS
A seven year study of 25 people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis showed reduced activity on MRI scans but the people continued to accrue disability.

How alemtuzumab works

Alemtuzumab is a type of drug called monoclonal antibodies. Alemtuzumab acts by killing T-cells which form part of the immune system and which in MS mistakenly attack myelin and cause the inflammation seen on MRI scans. It is thought that the T-cells regenerated following treatment with alemtuzumab will not include those that destroy myelin.

How is alemtuzumab given?

In trials alemtuzumab is given by a course of infusions over three to five days once a year.

Side effects and contraindications

The use of alemtuzumab in this clinical trial was voluntarily suspended in September 2004 following one fatal case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a blood clotting disorder. Other cases of ITP were identified and treated. ITP is not fatal if caught early enough, however, it remains a significant risk.

Almost a quarter of participants developed thyroid-related side effects. These are treatable but can mean lifelong thyroid medication.

Flu-like symptoms after infusion were reported. As alemtuzumab works by suppressing the immune system, anyone on treatment will be more vulnerable to infections such as colds and viruses for some time after the infusion.

References

Cohen JA, et al.
Alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a as first-line treatment for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled phase 3 trial.
The Lancet 2012 1 November [ePub online].
abstract

Cole AJ, et al.
Alemtuzumab for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis after disease-modifying therapy: a randomised controlled phase 3 trial.
The Lancet 2012 1 November [ePub online].
abstract

Discontinuation of licensed supplies of alemtuzumab (Mabcampath).
NeLM news - 10 August 2012.
read online

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