Rebif® vs Avonex®

 

Rebif® vs Avonex®

HIGH-DOSE, HIGH-FREQUENCY REBIF® WAS PROVEN SUPERIOR TO LOW-DOSE, LOW-FREQUENCY AVONEX®1-5

Rebif® was proven superior to Avonex® in relapse and MRI clinical measures1-5

 

 

Study design

EVIDENCE TRIAL: INITIATED IN 19991,3,6

Chart showing the EVIDENCE TRIAL: INITIATED IN 1999

EVidence of Interferon Dose-response: European North American Comparative Efficacy (EVIDENCE) was an assessor-blinded, parallel-group study conducted over an average of 64 weeks. Patients were randomized to receive Rebif® 44 mcg subcutaneously 3 times weekly (n=339) or Avonex® 30 mcg intramuscularly once weekly (n=338). The primary endpoint of EVIDENCE was the proportion of relapse-free patients at 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints included additional relapse measures, disability progression, safety, and MRI outcomes, such as number of combined unique active lesions at 24 weeks, T1-Gd+ lesions at 24 weeks, T2 lesions over 64 weeks, and post-transition T2 lesions.

The extension phase of the EVIDENCE study was an open-label, within-treatment-group comparison of patients who elected to remain in the study and take Rebif® 44 mcg subcutaneously 3 times weekly (n=272) for an average of 8 months vs their final 6 months on Avonex® intramuscularly (n=223). Outcomes measured included relapses, MRI, safety, and antigenicity. Patients were followed for an average of 8 months.

Of the 605 patients receiving therapy at the end of the comparative phase of EVIDENCE, 495 patients enrolled in the extension phase of the study. In the extension phase, all patients were offered the option of either taking Rebif® 44 mcg 3 times weekly or leaving the study. Clinical assessments were not blinded, but MRI evaluations were blinded. All assessments were within-treatment-group comparisons. Patients were followed for an average of 8 months post transition. Annualized relapse rate is based on a time-adjusted analysis.

The EVIDENCE study does not support any conclusion regarding any effects on the accumulation of disability.

 

 

RELAPSE DATA

 

RELAPSE-FREE DATA FOR REBIF® VS AVONEX®1,2*

 

  • The primary endpoint of the EVIDENCE trial was the proportion of relapse-free patients at 24 weeks1
  • Compared with Avonex®, adverse events were similar over an average of 64 weeks, despite higher, more frequent dosing with Rebif®. Exceptions included injection site disorders (85% vs 33%), hepatic function disorders (18% vs 10%), and white blood cell disorders (14% vs 5%), which were more frequent with Rebif®. Flu‐like symptoms were more frequent with Avonex® (53% vs 44%)

*Logistic regression model adjusted for treatment and center, intent-to-treat analysis.

 

 

Rebif® reduced the risk of relapse compared with Avonex®4†

RISK OF RELAPSE OVER AN AVERAGE OF 64 WEEKS

Graph showing RISK OF RELAPSE OVER AN AVERAGE OF 64 WEEKS

†The 40th-percentile time to first exacerbation was 13.5 months for Rebif®-treated patients and 6.7 months for Avonex®-treated patients, demonstrating a delay in first exacerbation of approximately 6.8 months in favor of Rebif® for the 40th-percentile patients.

HR: hazard ratio; IM: intramuscular; qw: once weekly; SC: subcutaneous; tiw: 3 times weekly.

 

  • The greatest separation of the survival curves was achieved in the first 24 weeks of treatment

Rebif® provided additional relapse reductions in the EVIDENCE extension phase6

 

PATIENTS WHO TRANSITIONED FROM AVONEX® TO REBIF®

PATIENTS ON REBIF® WHO CONTINUED ON REBIF®

Graph showing data with text that says - PATIENTS WHO TRANSITIONED FROM AVONEX® TO REBIF®

PATIENTS ON REBIF® WHO CONTINUED ON REBIF®

Graph showing data with text that says - REBIF® PATIENTS WHO CONTINUED ON REBIF®

IM: intramuscular; qw: once weekly; SC: subcutaneous; tiw: 3 times weekly.

 

  • Patients who had been on Avonex® for 6 months and transitioned to Rebif® had a 50% reduction in relapse rate at an average of 8 months post-transition (n=223)4
  • Patients who elected to stay on Rebif® saw an additional 26% reduction in relapse rate (n=272)4
  • Compared with Avonex®, adverse events were similar over an average of 64 weeks, despite higher, more frequent dosing with Rebif®. Injection-site disorders (85% vs 33%), hepatic function disorders (18% vs 10%), and white blood cell disorders (14% vs 5%) were more frequent with Rebif®. Flu-like symptoms were more frequent with Avonex® (53% vs 45%)

 

The extension phase of the EVIDENCE study was an open-label, within-treatment-group comparison of patients who elected to remain in the study and take Rebif® 44 mcg subcutaneously 3 times weekly (n=272) for an average of 8 months vs their final 6 months on Avonex® intramuscularly (n=223). The primary endpoint of the study was the percent of relapse-free patients. Other outcome measures included MRI, safety, and antigenicity.


Of the 605 patients receiving therapy at the end of the comparative phase of EVIDENCE, 495 patients enrolled in the extension phase of the study. In the extension phase, all patients were offered the option of either taking Rebif® 44 mcg 3 times weekly or leaving the study. Clinical assessments were not blinded, but MRI evaluations were blinded. All assessments were within-treatment-group comparisons. Patients were followed for an average of 8 months post-transition. Annualized relapse rate is based on a time-adjusted analysis.

 

 

MRI clinical data

Significantly fewer MRI lesions with Rebif® vs Avonex® at 24 weeks3,5

RELATIVE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE LESIONS PER PATIENT PER SCAN

Graph showing RELATIVE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE LESIONS PER PATIENT SCAN

 

Graph showing T2 Relative reduction in the number of T2-active lesions§ per patient per scan

 

  • The numbers of T1-active and T2-active lesions per patient per scan at 24 weeks were secondary MRI outcome measures in the EVIDENCE trial

‡New or enlarging lesions detected with Gd+-weighted MRI. The number of T1-active lesions per patient per scan at 24 weeks was a secondary MRI outcome measure in the EVIDENCE trial. The principal MRI outcome measure was the number of combined unique active (CUA) lesions per patient per scan.
§New or enlarging lesions detected with PD/T2-weighted MRI. The number of T2-active lesions per patient per scan at 24 weeks was a MRI secondary outcome measure in the EVIDENCE trial.

IM: intramuscular; qw: once weekly; SC: subcutaneous; tiw: 3 times weekly.

Largest difference in MRI activity observed at 2 to 3 months of starting Rebif®3,5

 

REDUCTIONS IN CUA LESIONS OVER 24 WEEKS

Graph showing REDUCTIONS IN CUA LESIONS OVER 24 WEEKS

 

CUA: combined unique active; IM: intramuscular; qw: once weekly; SC: subcutaneous; tiw: 3 times weekly.

 

  • Fewer CUA lesions per scan during first 24 weeks of treatment (P 0.001)
  • At 48 weeks, a 36% relative reduction in mean number of T2 lesions per patient per scan in patients taking Rebif® vs Avonex® (P 0.001)

Almost half of Rebif® patients experienced no new MRI activity at 24 weeks5

 

PERCENT OF PATIENTS WITH NO NEW CUA LESIONS AT 24 WEEKS

Graph showing PERCENT OF PATIENTS WITH NO NEW CUA LESIONS AT 24 WEEKS with 48% High-dose, high-frequency Rebif® 44 mcg and 33% Low-dose, low-frequency Avonex® 30 mcg
  • At baseline, 45% of patients in both groups had no CUA lesions5

CUA: combined unique active, defined as any lesion that was T1 active or T2 active.
IM: intramuscular; qw: once weekly; SC: subcutaneous; tiw: 3 times weekly.

More patients free of T2-active lesions1,2

 

SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN MRI VERSUS AVONEX®1-3

 

  • In the EVIDENCE extension phase, patients who had been on Avonex® for 6 months and transitioned to Rebif® had a 22% reduction in the number of T2-active lesionsǁ at an average of 8 months post transition versus their final 6 months on Avonex®3,6

ǁNew or enlarging lesions detected with PD/T2-weighted MRI.

 


INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

for REBIF® (interferon beta-1a) for subcutaneous injection

INDICATION 

Rebif is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindication: Rebif is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to natural or recombinant interferon beta, human albumin, or any other component of the formulation.

Depression and Suicide: Use Rebif with caution in patients with depression, a common condition in people with multiple sclerosis. Depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts have been reported to occur with increased frequency in patients receiving interferon compounds, including Rebif.

Hepatic Injury: There have been rare reports of severe liver injury, including some cases of hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation, in patients taking Rebif. Consider the potential for hepatic injury when Rebif is used in combination with other products associated with hepatotoxicity. Monitor liver function tests and patients for signs and symptoms of hepatic injury. Consider discontinuing Rebif if hepatic injury occurs.

Anaphylaxis and Other Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions (some severe) have been reported. Discontinue Rebif if anaphylaxis occurs.

Injection Site Reactions Including Necrosis: In controlled clinical trials, injection site reactions occurred more frequently in Rebif-treated patients than in placebo-treated and Avonex-treated patients. Injection site reactions including injection site pain, erythema, edema, cellulitis, abscess, and necrosis have been reported in the postmarketing setting with the use of Rebif. Do not administer Rebif into affected area until fully healed; if multiple lesions occur, change injection site or discontinue Rebif until skin lesions are healed. Some cases of injection site necrosis required treatment with intravenous antibiotics and surgical intervention (debridement and skin grafting). Some cases of injection site abscesses and cellulitis required treatment with hospitalization for surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotics. Rotate site of injection with each dose to minimize likelihood of severe injection site reactions, including necrosis or localized infection.

Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts: Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including pancytopenia, have been reported in Rebif-treated patients. In controlled clinical trials, leukopenia occurred at a higher frequency in Rebif-treated patients than in placebo and Avonex-treated patients. Thrombocytopenia and anemia occurred more frequently in 44 mcg Rebif-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients. Monitor patients for symptoms or signs of decreased blood counts. Monitoring of complete blood and differential white blood cell counts is also recommended.

Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), some fatal, have been reported with interferon beta products, including Rebif, up to several weeks or years after starting therapy. Discontinue Rebif if clinical symptoms and laboratory findings consistent with TMA occur and manage as clinically indicated.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have been reported in patients treated with interferon beta products, including REBIF. Patients who develop unexplained symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, new or increasing fatigue) should be assessed for PAH. If alternative etiologies have been ruled out and a diagnosis of PAH is confirmed, discontinue treatment and manage as clinically indicated.

Seizures: Seizures have been temporally associated with the use of beta interferons, including Rebif, in clinical trials and in postmarketing reports. Monitor for seizures when administering Rebif to patients, particularly those with pre-existing seizure disorders.

Laboratory Tests: New or worsening thyroid abnormalities have developed in some patients treated with Rebif. Thyroid function tests are recommended every 6 months in patients with history of thyroid dysfunction or as clinically indicated.

Adverse Reactions: The most common side effects with Rebif are injection-site disorders, influenza-like symptoms, abdominal pain, depression, elevated liver enzymes, and hematologic abnormalities.

Pregnancy: Epidemiological data do not suggest a clear relationship between interferon beta use and major congenital malformations, but interferon beta may cause fetal harm based on animal studies. Data from a large human population-based cohort study, as well as other published studies over several decades, have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects with exposure to interferon beta products during early pregnancy. Findings regarding a potential risk for low birth weight or miscarriage with the use of interferon beta products in pregnancy have been inconsistent.

Lactation: Limited published literature has described the presence of interferon beta-1a products in human milk at low levels. There are no data on the effects of interferon beta-1a on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for REBIF and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from REBIF or from the underlying maternal condition.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact EMD Serono, Inc. at 1-800-283-8088 ext. 5563 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch

Please see Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

References: 1. Panitch H, Goodin D, Francis G, et al; for EVIDENCE (EVidence of Interferon Dose-response: European North American Comparative Efficacy) Study Group and the University of British Columbia MS/MRI Research Group. Benefits of high-dose, high-frequency interferon beta-1a in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis are sustained to 16 months: final comparative results of the EVIDENCE trial. J Neurol Sci.2005;239(1):67-74. 2. Rebif® [Prescribing Information]. Rockland, MA: EMD Serono, Inc. 3. Data on file. EMD Serono, Inc. EVIDENCE study report. 4. Schwid SR, Panitch HS. Full results of the Evidence of Interferon Dose-Response-European North American Comparative Efficacy (EVIDENCE) study: a multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded comparison of low-dose weekly versus high-dose, high-frequency interferon β-1a for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Clin Ther. 2007;29(9):2031-2048. 5. Panitch H, Goodin DS, Francis G, et al; EVIDENCE Study Group and the University of British Columbia MS/MRI Research Group. Randomized, comparative study of Interferon β-1a treatment regimens in MS: the EVIDENCE trial. Neurology. 2002;59(10):1496-1506. 6. Schwid SR, Thorpe J, Sharief M, et al; EVIDENCE (EVidence of Interferon Dose-Response: European North American Comparative Efficacy) Study Group and the University of British Columbia MS/MRI Research Group. Enhanced benefit of increasing interferon beta-1a dose and frequency in relapsing multiple sclerosis: the EVIDENCE Study. Arch Neurol. 2005;62(5):785-792.