The safety data in the subgroup with highly active disease reflected the findings in the overall CARE-MS II population. Infections occurred in 84% of highly active patients on alemtuzumab and 64% on interferon. Thyroid disorders occurred in 15.5% on alemtuzumab, compared with 2.4% on interferon. Adverse events leading to study discontinuation were seen in 1% on alemtuzumab, compared with 2.4% on interferon.
CARE-MS II was sponsored by Genzyme. Dr. Krieger is a consultant to Genzyme and half a dozen other pharmaceutical companies.