This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Is anyone here participating or considering the Ocrelizumab trial? I have my first infusion next week.

I've never heard of this 'mab'. How many patients is this trial taking? I would not want to take Avonex but that's just me. It would be a deal breaker in joining this particular trial.

This is a phase II trial, and it is very small. Only 200 people worldwide. I wonder what happens if you get the Avonex, you show up for the first infusion and they give you some Avonex instead?

If it's like the alemtuzamab trials then you take the Avonex once a week instead of the infusion. Your trial doctor will be blinded to what you get and your not to tell him/her. It won't be double blinded because you'll know what you you're taking.

From what I've read about it, it is a "fully humanized" version of Rituximab. I could be so wrong, but the blurbs I've read about it tout that it is humanized while Rituxan is a synthesized MAB. And since they are talking about Rituxan in the comparison, I just assumed that it is supposed to have the same mechanism of action.

You are correct. Apparently there is a mouse protiene in rituxan that the immune system eventualy creates antibodies against rendering the drug ineffective. This is the same drug as rituxan using a synthetic protien that is more human like.

Thanks for the clarification Milo!