| Contributors: |
Vissing, J.; Jacob, S.; Fujita, K. P.; O'Brien, F.; Howard, J. F.; Mazia, C. G.; Wilken, M.; Barroso, F.; Saba, J.; Rugiero, M.; Bettini, M.; Chaves, M.; Vidal, G.; Garcia, A. D.; Debleecker, J.; Vanden Abeele, G.; Dekoning, K.; Demey, K.; Mercelis, R.; Mahieu, D.; Wagemaekers, L.; Vandamme, P.; Depreitere, A.; Schotte, C.; Smetcoren, C.; Stevens, O.; Vandaele, S.; Vandenbussche, N.; Vanhee, A.; Verjans, S.; Vynckier, J.; D'Hont, A.; Tilkin, P.; Alves deSiqueira Carvalho, A.; Diasbrockhausen, I.; Feder, D.; Ambrosio, D.; Cesar, P.; Melo, A. P.; Martinsribeiro, R.; Rocha, R.; Rosa, B. B.; Veiga, T.; Dasilva, L. A.; Santosengel, M.; Goncalvesgeraldo, J.; daPenha Ananias Morita, M.; Nogueiracoelho, E.; Paiva, G.; Pozo, M.; Prando, N.; Martinelitorres, D. D.; Butinhao, C. F.; Duran, G.; Surianefialho, T. A.; Gomes daSilva, T. C.; Maiagoncalves, L. O.; Pazetto, L. E.; Cubasvolpe, L. R.; Souzaduca, L.; Ghellerfriedrich, M. A.; Guerreiro, A.; Mohr, H.; Pereiramartins, M.; daCruz Pacheco, D.; Ferreira, L.; Macagnan, A. P.; Pinto, G.; deCassia Santos, A.; Souza BulleOliveira, A.; Amaral deAndrade, A. C.; Annes, M.; Duartesilva, L.; Cavalcantelino, V.; Pinto, W.; Assis, N.; Carrara, F.; Miranda, C.; Souza, I.; Fernandes, P.; Siddiqi, Z.; Phan, C.; Narayan, J.; Blackmore, D.; Mallon, A.; Roderus, R.; Watt, E.; Vohanka, S.; Bednarik, J.; Chmelikova, M.; Cierny, M.; Toncrova, S.; Junkerova BarboraKurkova, J.; Reguliova, K.; Zapletalova, O.; Pitha, J.; Novakova, I.; Tyblova, M.; Jurajdova, I.; Wolfova, M. |
| Description: |
Background: The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension. Methods: Attainment of ‘minimal symptom expression’ was evaluated using patient-reported outcome measures of gMG symptoms [MG activities of daily living scale (MG-ADL), 15-item MG quality of life questionnaire (MG-QOL15)] at the completion of REGAIN and during the open-label extension. ‘Minimal symptom expression’ was defined as MG-ADL total score of 0–1 or MG-QOL15 total score of 0–3. Results: At REGAIN week 26, more eculizumab-treated patients achieved ‘minimal symptom expression’ versus placebo [MG-ADL: 21.4% vs 1.7%; difference 19.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.5, 31.0; p = 0.0007; MG-QOL15: 16.1% vs 1.7%; difference 14.4%; 95% CI 4.3, 24.6; p = 0.0069]. During the open-label extension, the proportion of patients in the placebo/eculizumab group who achieved ‘minimal symptom expression’ increased after initiating eculizumab treatment and was sustained through 130 weeks of open-label eculizumab (MG-ADL: 1.7 to 27.8%; MG-QOL15: 1.7 to 19.4%). At extension study week 130, similar proportions of patients in the eculizumab/eculizumab and placebo/eculizumab groups achieved ‘minimal symptom expression’ (MG-ADL: 22.9% and 27.8%, respectively, p = 0.7861; MG-QOL15: 14.3% and 19.4%, respectively, p = 0.7531). The long-term tolerability of eculizumab was consistent with previous reports. Conclusions: Patients with AChR+ refractory gMG who receive eculizumab can achieve sustained ‘minimal symptom expression’ based on patient-reported outcomes. ‘Minimal symptom expression’ may be a useful tool in measuring therapy effectiveness in gMG. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01997229, NCT02301624. |