Kesimpta (ofatumumab; Novartis, Cambridge, MA) was shown to be more effective than Aubagio (teriflunomide; Genzyme, Cambridge, MA) in reducing disease activity across ethnic and racial groups in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Results of a post-hoc analysis of 2 previous studies were published in Neurology.

Researchers examined a population of 1882 participants who received either Kesimpta at 20 mg every 4 weeks or Aubagio at 14 mg once daily. Of the study population, 82% identified as non-Hispanic White, 8% identified as Hispanic/Latino, 4% identified as non-Hispanic Asian, and 3% identified as non-Hispanic Black, with the remaining 3% identified as other/unknown. Participants were evaluated for disease activity, with no disease activity defined as no new relapses with symptom flare-ups, no change in disability, and no new lesions in the brain or spine detected with an MRI scan.

• Of non-Hispanic Black participants taking Kesimpta, 33% showed no disease activity, while 3% of those taking Aubagio showed no disease activity.
• Of non-Hispanic Asian participants taking Kesimpta, 43% showed no disease activity, while 22% of those taking Aubagio showed no disease activity.
• Of Hispanic/Latino participants taking Kesimpta, 37% showed no disease activity, while 19% of those taking Aubagio showed no disease activity.
• Of non-Hispanic White participants taking Kesimpta, 37% showed no disease activity, while 17% of those taking Aubagio showed no disease activity.

The results suggest that the proportion of people treated with Kesimpta who showed no disease activity was consistent across all race and ethnicity groups.

“Determining whether there are differences in how people respond to MS therapies is of great importance so that ultimately, each person is given the most effective treatment for them,” said Mitzi Joi Williams, MD, Study Author and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). “Underrepresentation of diverse populations continues to be an issue in research. Future studies should strive to enroll racially and ethnically diverse groups to better inform treatment decisions.”