Comparison of Brain Atrophy Rates, Cognition, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in MS Patients Using Long-term Fingolimod and Glatiramer Acetate

Comparative Effectiveness of Long Term Fingolimod Versus Glatiramer Acetate on Brain Atrophy Rates, Cognition and Patient Reported Outcomes in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Rates of brain atrophy for long term users of fingolimod when compared to glatiramer acetate have not been examined in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). As patients on long term therapy typically have little or no overt signs of white matter inflammatory activity (T2, gad lesions), brain atrophy measures can provide insight into whether there is continued progression of MS in these patients. What remains unknown is whether patients on a particular therapy have a slower rate of brain atrophy. This would provide convincing evidence that central nervous system tissue injury is further suppressed. Such information would be of substantial clinical benefit when deciding between various therapies.

The investigators will estimate the impact of long term use of fingolimod therapy (defined as a minimum of two years on therapy) on whole brain atrophy in treated patients with relapsing forms of MS as compared to age and gender matched patients on Glatiramer Acetate.

The investigators secondary goal is to determine the correlation between brain atrophy and cognitive performance in treated patients with relapsing forms of MS.

The investigators will also examine the correlation between the NeuroQualityofLife (NeuroQOL) PROs, patient self-reports of disability, clinical assessment of physical disability, work productivity, clinical assessments of cognitive functioning with whole brain volume loss for patients on long term fingolimod vs. long term glatiramer acetate therapy matched on age and gender.

The investigators anticipate the findings of this study will generate relevant hypotheses about these relationships.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 157

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Colorado
    • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
      • University of Colorado Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 55 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

MS patients who have been taking either fingolimod or glatiramer acetate for at least 2 years

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must be able to provide written informed consent
• Between 18-55 years of age at the time of informed consent.
• Diagnosis of any form of MS as defined by the 2010 revised McDonald criteria
• Currently taking fingolimod or glatiramer acetate for a minimum of two years at the time of the initial baseline visit
• Must be willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Suffering from comorbidities that could confound the MRI outcomes or are (relative) contraindicated to receive treatment with fingolimod such as:

  • diabetes,
  • myocardial infarction,
  • unstable angina,
  • transient ischemic attack,
  • decompensated heart failure,
  • history of Mobitz Type II 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular block,
  • sick sinus syndrome,
  • history of stroke,
  • history of traumatic brain injury,
  • history of encephalitis,
  • dementia (not related to MS).
• Systemic steroid used (oral or IV) within 30 days of the baseline visit.
• Ever treated with chemotherapy.
• Ever having undergone cranial radiation, or intracranial surgery.
• Unable to tolerate an MRI scan.
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding or planning on pregnancy during the study period.
• Is decisionally challenged, illiterate or blind
• Is non-English speaking (as the PRO instruments are only validated in English)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Fingolimod; Subjects currently taking Fingolimod for a minimum of 2 years
glatiramer acetate; Subjects currently taking glatiramer acetate for a minimum of 2 years

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Whole Brain Atrophy (Rate of whole brain atrophy (T2 - T0): Two-time point percentage brain volume change (PBVC)	Rate of whole brain atrophy (T2 - T0): Two-time point percentage brain volume change (PBVC) over the two years of the study will be estimated from the 3D T-1 weighted acquisition with Structural Image Evaluation Using Normalization of Atrophy (SIENA) software, part of FSL (Functional MRI of the Brain [FMRIB] Software Library, http://www.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl).	Baseline; Year 1; Year 2.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Kavita Nair, PhD, University of Colorado, Denver

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 3, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): December 4, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 8, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 4, 2022
• Last Verified: March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Multiple Sclerosis; Sclerosis; Atrophy
• Other Study ID Numbers: 14-0774; UL1TR001082 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)