Efficacy of Cyclophosphamide Versus Methylprednisolone in Patients With Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Background

Preliminary not-controlled clinical studies of the efficacy of monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide administration in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis reported encouraging results, but no randomized controlled trial has been conducted so far. A slight efficacy of Methylprednisolone has been reported in this indication.

Objectives

The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of IV cyclophosphamide on the prevention of disability deterioration in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

The secondary objectives are to evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy of IV cyclophosphamide on the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and the number of relapses.

Study design

Randomized double-blind two-arm controlled trial.

Intervention

Experimental group : IV cyclophosphamide infusion administered every 4 weeks during 1 year and every 8 weeks during 1 year.

Control group : IV methylprednisolone infusion administered every 4 weeks during 1 year and every 8 weeks during 1 year.

Outcomes

Primary outcome : delay to disability deterioration as assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS: 0.5 or 1 point increase, depending on baseline score) evaluated every 4 weeks for one year, then every 8 weeks for one year.

Secondary outcomes : proportion of patients with disability deterioration (EDSS: 0.5 or 1 point increase, depending on baseline score), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and the Z scores of MSFC three components, number of MS relapses, proportion of patients with adverse events and delay of occurrence of adverse events, quality of life questionnaires.

• Quality of life questionnaires
• Disability self-assessment questionnaires Main time of assessment : 2 years.

Sample size

360 patients

Statistical analysis

Intention-to-treat analysis.

Inclusion criteria

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects (Mc Donald et al criteria),
• Aged 18 to 65
• Diagnosis of secondary progressive MS ( Lublin and Reingold criteria)
• Progressive deterioration phase of at least 6 months and less than 4 years.
• Reduction of walking capacity and increase EDSS not ascribed to consequence of relapses (at least 0.5 point) in the last 12 months
• EDSS between 4.0 and 6.5 included
• Female participating must use contraceptives while on study drug
• Written informed consent
• Patient protected by French social security system

Exclusion criteria

• Others diseases interfering with MS or treatment
• Recent history (within the previous 2 years) of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Patients with psychiatric illnesses who are unable to provide written, informed consent prior to any testing under this protocol
• Hemorrhagic cystitis
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Known allergy at cyclophosphamide, corticoids and in particular methylprednisolone
• Persistent infectious diseases
• Patients with bladder permanent catheterization
• Known history of cardiac arrhythmia after methylprednisolone intravenous treatment
• Abnormal screening/baseline blood tests exceeding any of the limits defined below : Hb < 9g/dl or Total white blood cell count less than 3 000/mm3 or lymphocytes count less than 900/ mm3 or Platelet count less than 125 000/mm3
• Gastric or duodenal ulcer in evolution
• Gut diverticulosis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Known history of active hepatitis (ASAT >3 X ULN)
• Known history of renal failure (creatinine level > 180 µmol/L)
• Psychosis
• Current or past (< 3 months) participation in another drug trial
• Prior use of cyclophosphamide, lymphoid irradiation, monoclonal antibodies anti CD4 or anti CD52 or anti-VLA-4 therapies, cladribine ou cyclosporine A
• Other clinical types of MS : Secondary progressive phase evolving for more than 4 years ; Remittent type of MS without progression between relapses ; Primary progressive type of MS
• Use of interferon beta, methotrexate or imurel in the month prior to study.
• Treatment with intravenous monthly corticoids in the year prior to study.
• Treatment with corticoids (3 to 5 days) in the 2 month prior to study.