Faculty Collaboration Database

Inhibition of CD40L with Frexalimab in Multiple Sclerosis. N Engl J Med 2024 Feb 15;390(7):589-600

Date

02/14/2024

Pubmed ID

38354138

DOI

10.1056/NEJMoa2309439

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85185346550 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   1 Citation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The CD40-CD40L costimulatory pathway regulates adaptive and innate immune responses and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Frexalimab is a second-generation anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody being evaluated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

METHODS: In this phase 2, double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned, in a 4:4:1:1 ratio, participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis to receive 1200 mg of frexalimab administered intravenously every 4 weeks (with an 1800-mg loading dose), 300 mg of frexalimab administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks (with a 600-mg loading dose), or the matching placebos for each active treatment. The primary end point was the number of new gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions seen on magnetic resonance imaging at week 12 relative to week 8. Secondary end points included the number of new or enlarging T2-weighted lesions at week 12 relative to week 8, the total number of gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions at week 12, and safety. After 12 weeks, all the participants could receive open-label frexalimab.

RESULTS: Of 166 participants screened, 129 were assigned to a trial group; 125 participants (97%) completed the 12-week double-blind period. The mean age of the participants was 36.6 years, 66% were women, and 30% had gadolinium-enhancing lesions at baseline. At week 12, the adjusted mean number of new gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions was 0.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1 to 0.4) in the group that received 1200 mg of frexalimab intravenously and 0.3 (95% CI, 0.1 to 0.6) in the group that received 300 mg of frexalimab subcutaneously, as compared with 1.4 (95% CI, 0.6 to 3.0) in the pooled placebo group. The rate ratios as compared with placebo were 0.11 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.38) in the 1200-mg group and 0.21 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.56) in the 300-mg group. Results for the secondary imaging end points were generally in the same direction as those for the primary analysis. The most common adverse events were coronavirus disease 2019 and headaches.

CONCLUSIONS: In a phase 2 trial involving participants with multiple sclerosis, inhibition of CD40L with frexalimab had an effect that generally favored a greater reduction in the number of new gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions at week 12 as compared with placebo. Larger and longer trials are needed to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of frexalimab in persons with multiple sclerosis. (Funded by Sanofi; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04879628.).

Author List

Vermersch P, Granziera C, Mao-Draayer Y, Cutter G, Kalbus O, Staikov I, Dufek M, Saubadu S, Bejuit R, Truffinet P, Djukic B, Wallstroem E, Giovannoni G, Frexalimab Phase 2 Trial Group

Author

Ahmed Zayed Obeidat MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Administration, Intravenous
Adult
Antibodies, Monoclonal
CD40 Antigens
CD40 Ligand
Double-Blind Method
Female
Gadolinium
Humans
Injections, Subcutaneous
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting