“This research will give people a realistic expectation of the treatment response after starting anti-CD20 therapies … The last thing we want is to put people at unnecessary risk of harm, and people need to have a realistic expectation of what their journey with MS will look like.”
Watch the full interview with Dr Izanne Roos below.
Project Summary:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition affecting the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of physical and cognitive difficulties. While treatments have improved for the early, relapsing stage of the disease, many people eventually develop progressive MS, a stage marked by gradual worsening of symptoms. Treatment options for progressive MS are limited, and it remains unclear how well available therapies work in patients who show no signs of active inflammation, such as recent relapses or new lesions on MRI scans.
Currently, only two medications – ocrelizumab and siponimod – are officially approved for progressive MS, and evidence suggests they are most effective in patients with active inflammation. Despite this, increasing numbers of people with progressive MS are being treated with anti-CD20 therapies like ocrelizumab, which suppress the immune system. Whether these therapies benefit patients without active inflammation is uncertain, raising questions about unnecessary risks and costs.
Our project, based at the Neuroimmunology Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and led by Professor Tomas Kalincik, uses data from MSBase, the world’s largest multiple sclerosis registry, to study real-world outcomes. We will apply advanced statistical methods to mimic a clinical trial and determine whether anti-CD20 therapies slow disease progression in patients with non-active progressive MS.
By answering this question, our research aims to guide more precise, patient-centred treatment strategies, reduce unnecessary risks, and promote safer, evidence-based care for people living with progressive MS.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.