Deaths overshadow ocrelizumab trials in MS

[MSUK]

Swiss drugmaker Roche AG and Biogen Idec Inc. are discontinuing development of ocrelizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), after an infection-related safety signal was observed in Phase III testing, resulting in the death of some patients.

Results from the program will be made... http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1397

[HarryZ]

Swiss drugmaker Roche AG and Biogen Idec Inc. are discontinuing development of ocrelizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), after an infection-related safety signal was observed in Phase III testing, resulting in the death of some patients.

Results from the program will be made... http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1397

Monoclonal antibodies...powerful and dangerous drugs to say the least.

Interesting to see that they have abandoned the trials of ocrelizumab for RA but are continuing the trials for MS patients!

Harry

[Anunymouse]

Not really. There is always a risk/reward assessment in meds. MS patients tend to accept a much higher risk level than some other diseases.

[HarryZ]

Not really. There is always a risk/reward assessment in meds. MS patients tend to accept a much higher risk level than some other diseases.

Unfortunately they do because to date, there certainly isn't any cure and the current meds are not all that effective. This increases the frustration level of MS patients and likely why they are willing to take the additional risk.

[Pesho]

From what I talked with my Neurologists doses for RA are much higher than for MS. There were deaths in the MS Trial Opera but they were few and it did not stop it. Anyway, not the best option but for now it keeps me kicking.