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NCT Number: NCT06586177

Understanding the 'Durable Effect' Concept of B-cell Modulating Therapies

This prospective, observational clinical study aims to longitudinally assess peripheral immune cell profiles of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) receiving anti-CD20 therapy with ofatumumab (OFA), ocrelizumab (OCR), ublituximab (UBX), and rituximab (RTX). Throughout the study, clinical data - including relapse events, patient scores, and neuropsychological parameters - will be collected, along with results from imaging techniques such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This clinical data will be combined with immunological analyses, including multidimensional flow cytometry (mFC), bulk RNA sequencing (bulk-Seq), T and B cell receptor sequencing (TCR/BCR-Seq), proteomics, and immunoglobulin analysis. This approach aims to enable a detailed characterization of changes in the immune cell repertoire and their impact on the clinical disease course.

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Key information

Conditions

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Immune System Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting Nervous System Diseases

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

About this study

B cell targeted therapies have become a key element in the treatment of multiple sclerosis due to their effectiveness in rapid and long-lasting depletion of B cells in peripheral blood (PB), significantly reducing relapse rates and disability progression. The monoclonal antibodies OFA, OCR, UBX, and RTX target the B cell surface protein CD20, however it is unclear how B cell depletion and subsequent repopulation allows for immune system reconstitution and how other immune cell populations are affected by these therapies. Furthermore, the relevance of immune cell changes - beyond B cell depletion - for clinical disease stability remains insufficiently understood.

By collecting comprehensive and structured prospective clinical data alongside immunological analyses, this study aims for a better understanding of immunological changes in RRMS patients receiving anti-CD20 therapies and the implications of those alterations in immune cell profiles on the clinical disease course. REBELLION-MS plans for two patient cohorts: cohort 1 (C1; basic cohort) and cohort 2 (C2; in-depth cohort). Participants in C1 will be seen every 6 months up until month 24, then every 12 months. The following parameters will be collected: demographic data, disease characteristics incl. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, serum samples, and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). Furthermore, Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC) are documented. Participants of C2 will receive additional evaluations: clinical evaluation incl. EDSS and sampling of serum and PBMCs at months 1 and 3, Multiple sclerosis functional composite (MFSC) every 6 months, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) as well as neuropsychological assessment (NPT) every 12 months. Serum samples and PBMCs will be analyzed by mFC, bulk-Seq, TCR/BCR-Seq, and proteomics, among other methods.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) according to 2017 revised McDonald criteria
  • Current treatment with B cell modulating therapies or initiation/transition to B cell modulating therapies according to the "Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)"
  • EDSS score of 0.0 to 7.0

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous treatment with alemtuzumab, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, methotrexate, total body irradiation or bone marrow transplantation
  • Medical, psychiatric, cognitive, or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, impair the patient's ability to understand the patient information and give informed consent
  • Patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment for conditions other than MS or long-term corticosteroid treatment
  • Patients with confirmed infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Hepatitis C Virus

Treatment and study plan

Anti-CD20 antibody

Drug

Study participants receive an anti-CD20 antibody according to the summary of product characteristics.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in the peripheral immune cell profile

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Immune cell subpopulations will be analyzed longitudinally by multidimensional flow cytometry [% of all living cells and mean fluorescent intensity of different cell surface markers].

  2. Change from baseline in protein profile of the peripheral blood

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Protein expression will be measured longitudinally using proteomics.

  3. Change from baseline in TCR/BCR profile

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    T cell and B cell receptor profile will be measured longitudinally using BCR- and TCR-sequencing.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) Score

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    The EDSS is used to quantify disability due to symptoms of MS and to track changes in disability status over time. Scores range from 0 (normal neurological exam) to 10 (death due to multiple sclerosis). Higher scores indicate a greater level of disability.

  2. Change from baseline in Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    The SF-36 questionnaire is used to measure health-related quality of life summarized into two overarching scales: physical health and mental health. It contains 36 questions including eight subscales that capture various aspects of health and well-being. For each of these subscales, multiple questions are asked, each rated on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health and higher levels of well-being.

  3. Change from baseline on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Cerebral MRI (cMRI) and spinal MRI (sMRI) performed as part of the clinical routine workup will be analyzed and quantified for the number of lesions, new lesions, and active lesions.

  4. Change from baseline in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer thickness (RNFL)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer thickness (RNFL) will be measured longitudinally by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

  5. Change from baseline in visual acuity (HCV and LCV)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    High-contrast visual acuity (HCV) and low-contrast visual acuity (LCV) are measured longitudinally in both eyes.

  6. Change from baseline in Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Fatigue is rated using the self-administered 20-item FSMC questionnaire that includes ten questions related to motor fatigue and ten questions related to cognitive fatigue. A Likert-type 5-point scale produces a score between 1 and 5 for each scored question. Minimum value is 20 (no fatigue at all) and maximum value is 100 (severe fatigue). Higher scores indicate higher fatigue.

  7. Change from baseline in Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) Score

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    MSFC has 3 components: 1. Timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), 2. 9-hole peg test (9HPT) [dominant and nondominant hands], and 3. Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).

    The MSFC Z-score is calculated by creating Z-scores for each component of the MSFC and averaging them to create an overall composite score.

    MSFC Z-score = (Z25-foot-walk + Z9HPT+ ZPASAT)/3. A Z-score represented the number of standard deviations participant's test result was higher (Z > 0) or lower (Z < 0) than the average test result (Z = 0) from the reference population. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.

  8. Change from baseline in Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) assesses information processing speed and attention. It involves matching symbols to numbers according to a given key within a specified time limit.

    Z-Scores are calculated. A Z-score represented the number of standard deviations participant's test result was higher (Z >0) or lower (Z <0) than the average test result (Z = 0) from the reference population. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.

  9. Change from baseline in Verbal Memory Learning Test (VMLT)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Verbal Memory Learning Test (VMLT) is an examination of verbal learning and memory by presenting a list of words to the participant multiple times and then asking them to recall as many words as possible after each presentation.

    A Z-score represented the number of standard deviations participant's test result was higher (Z >0) or lower (Z <0) than the average test result (Z = 0) from the reference population. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.

  10. Change from baseline in Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT) assesses visuospatial learning and memory. Participants are asked to recall a series of abstract designs after multiple presentations. A Z-score represented the number of standard deviations participant's test result was higher (Z >0) or lower (Z <0) than the average test result (Z = 0) from the reference population. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.

  11. Change from baseline in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) ranges from 0 - 30, the higher the number the better the cognitive function.

  12. Change from baseline in BDI-FS/BDI II

    Time frame: Baseline up to 48 months

    Beck Depressions-Inventar (Fast-Score) (BDI-FS/BDI II) assesses depressive symptoms. Higher scores indicate more severe signs of depression.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Alice Willison, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+492118117889

Saskia Räuber, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+492118117889

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf

Other

Collaborators

  • Novartis

Registry information

Acronym: REBELLION-MS

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Sep 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Sep 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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