Non-inferiority Study of Rituximab Compared to Ocrelizumab in Relapsing MS

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women aged 18 years and older
• A diagnosis of relapsing MS according to the 2017 revised diagnostic criteria
• Indication to start treatment with anti-CD20 therapy according to the treating neurologist and the relevant label in the Netherlands for treatment of relapsing MS
• Able to understand written and spoken Dutch or English
• Capable of giving signed informed consent including compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in this protocol.
• Screening EDSS score ≤ 6.5 .

Exclusion criteria

Medical Conditions

• A known allergy or other intolerability to RTX, OCR, gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents, or corticosteroids.
• A diagnosis of primary progressive MS according to the diagnostic criteria.
• A diagnosis of not-active secondary progressive MS.
• Chronic infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, VZV, hepatitis virus or HIV, as well as hepatitis B surface antigen positivity and/or hepatitis C PCR positivity verified at screening visit.
• A history of proven inflammatory bowel disease such as M. Crohn or ulcerative colitis
• Prior or current psychiatric illness, mental deficiency or cognitive dysfunction influencing the patient ability to make an informed consent or comply with the treatment and follow-up phases of this protocol.
• Cardiac disease that makes treatment with OCR or RTX contra-indicated as stated by the most recent SmPC
• Active malignancy or prior history of malignancy that makes treatment with OCR or RTX contra-indicated as stated by the most recent SmPC.
• WBC < 1.5 x 109/L if not caused by a reversible effect of documented ongoing medication. If caused by a reversible effect of documented ongoing medication the WBC count must be > 1,5 x 109/L before start of study treatment.
• Platelet (thrombocyte) count < 100 x 109/L
• ALAT and/or ASAT more than 2 times the upper normal reference limit (ULN)
• Serum creatinine > 200 μmol/L
• Serum bilirubin > ULN
• Serum IgG < LLN
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women
• Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) not able or willing to use highly effective methods of birth control per ICH M3 (R2) that result in failure rate of ≤ 1% per year when used consistently and correctly for the duration of the study OR until 3 months after last dose administered.
• History of serious or life-threatening infusion reaction to OCR or RTX
• Treatment with glucocorticoids or ACTH within one month prior to start of study treatment

Prior/Concomitant Therapy

• Previous use of second line MS-therapies cladribine, RTX, alemtuzumab, OCR, ofatumumab, hematopoietic stem cell therapy (HSCT) or other immunosuppression therapies with long lasting effects. Mitoxantrone is allowed if used > 1 year before enrolment. If any of these medications have been used for indications other than MS, patients can be included if the medications have not been used the year before enrolment. Previous treatment with natalizumab is allowed if the reason to switch was disease activity (so not allowed in for example cases that switch from natalizumab to anti-CD20 therapy because of JCV positivity).
• Concomitant use of systemic immunosuppressive medication (except corticosteroids for symptomatic treatment of relapses).

Prior/Concurrent Clinical Study Experience

• Currently enrolled in another investigational device or drug study, or less than 30 days since ending of another investigational device or drug study (s), or receiving other investigational treatment(s). Patients participating in a purely observational studies will be allowed to participate.

Lifestyle

• Current alcohol or drug dependencies.

Diagnostic assessments

• Presence of metallic objects implanted in the body, that would preclude the ability of the patient to safely have MRI exams.
• Not willing to undergo MRI scans with i.v. gadolinium injections