Dr Michael Wilson, associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, shares updates on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and health economics that were presented at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) 2022 meeting.
First, Dr Wilson reports on a holistic review of the US economic burdens associated with MS and DMT use. The total burden of MS was estimated to be $85 billion in both direct and indirect costs, with the average annual DMT cost ranging between $57,000 and $90,000.
Another study looked at long-term outcomes for patients who were treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). With follow-up periods ranging from 8 months to 20 years, there were no reported relapses after aHSCT. In contrast, there were 1.1 relapses per patient year before aHSCT. Patients also saw improvement in Expanded Disability Status Scale scores during follow-up.
Finally, Dr Wilson reviews the 18-month results from a long-term extension study of tolebrutinib, which looked at MRI activity, efficacy, and safety. Investigators reported a significant decrease in the number of new or enhancing lesions and in annual relapse rates, while T2 lesion burden remained stable.
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Michael Wilson, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine; Director, UCSF Center for Encephalitis and Meningitis, San Francisco, California
Michael Wilson, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: Roche/Genentech
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Takeda; Genentech; Novartis