Quantitative comparison of the efficacy of clinical drug treatments for primary progressive multiple sclerosis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #multiple-sclerosis #immunologic-factors #multiple-sclerosis-chronic-progressive #interferon-beta-1a

Quantitative comparison of the efficacy of clinical drug treatments for primary progressive multiple sclerosis

Sui et al., 2023 | J Clin Neurosci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Sui Zichao, Zhu Haoxiang, ... Zheng Qingshan. Quantitative comparison of the efficacy of clinical drug treatments for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. J Clin Neurosci. 2023-Jul;113:45-53. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2023.04.003

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study proposes a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of drugs and placebo in clinical trials for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases and the clinical studies reporting drug efficacy in the treatment of PPMS were included in the analyses. The cumulative proportion of patients without confirmed disability progression (wCDP%) was used as the main efficacy endpoint. The model-based meta-analysis method was used to describe the time course of each drug (as well as placebo) in order to rank the drug efficacy for the treatment of PPMS. RESULTS: Fifteen studies involving 3779 patients were included, of which, nine were placebo-controlled and six were single-arm trials. Twelve drugs were included in the study. The results showed that, except for biotin, interferon β-1a, and interferon β-1b, whose efficacy was comparable to the placebo, the efficacy of the other 9 drugs were significantly better than placebo. Among these, ocrelizumab showed outstanding performance, with wCDP% of 72.6 at 96 weeks, while the proportions of rest of the drugs ranged between approximately 55-70%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide the necessary quantitative information for both the rational clinical use of drugs and future clinical trials in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Key Findings

Fifteen studies involving 3779 patients were included, of which, nine were placebo-controlled and six were single-arm trials. Twelve drugs were included in the study. The results showed that, except for biotin, interferon β-1a, and interferon β-1b, whose efficacy was comparable to the placebo, the efficacy of the other 9 drugs were significantly better than placebo. Among these, ocrelizumab showed outstanding performance, with wCDP% of 72.6 at 96 weeks, while the proportions of rest of the drugs

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 3779
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive
  • Interferon beta-1a
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: biotin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09