Key clinical point : Continuous siponimod treatment for up to >5 years showed sustained efficacy and a consistent safety profile in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).
Major finding: The risk for 6-month confirmed disability progression (CDP) was 22% lower ( P = .0026) and confirmed worsening in cognitive processing speed was 23% lower ( P = .0047) in patients who received continuous siponimod vs those who switched from placebo to siponimod. Siponimod had a manageable and consistent safety profile.
Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 EXPAND study including the extension phase that included 1220 of 1651 patients with SPMS from the core phase. In the extension phase, patients who had received placebo in the core phase switched to siponimod, whereas those who had received siponimod continued the same treatment.
Disclosures: This study was supported by Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland. Five authors reported being employees of Novartis. Some authors reported receiving consulting or speakers’ fees or personal compensation or serving as a steering committee member or on an advisory board for various sources.
Source: Cree BAC et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of siponimod in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: Analysis of EXPAND core and extension data up to >5 years. Mult Scler. 2022 (Apr 5). Doi: 10.1177/13524585221083194