#080: B-Cell Depletion – Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), Rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), Ublituximab (Briumvi) for active RRMS and SPMS, and early PPMS

MS-Perspektive - The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast

Learn more about b-cell depletion, including Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Bonspri, Mabthera, Rituxan, and Briumvi, used for active RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS.

You can read the full article on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/080-b-cell-depletion

B-cell depletion therapies such as ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan) and ublituximab (Briumvi) have become important tools in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). These treatments specifically target and deplete B cells, a type of immune cell involved in the inflammatory process of MS. B-cell therapies are considered to be some of the most specific and potent disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available today, offering a tailored approach to reducing disease activity and progression. In this blog, we will explore how these therapies are classified within MS treatment options and what their approval status and efficacy mean for different patient populations.

Please remember that I can only provide an overview here. Your neurologist and your MS nurse should advise you in detail on the right therapy for you. This is because they know your general state of health and you should also talk about your goals, wishes, fears and preferences so that these can be taken into account.

Table of Contents

• General Information
• How are B-Cell Depletion – Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), Rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), Ublituximab (Briumvi) classified in immunotherapies?
• What are B-Cell Depletion – Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), Rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), Ublituximab (Briumvi) approved for?
• What is the situation for special patient groups?
• Who should avoid Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), Rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), Ublituximab (Briumvi)?
• How do Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), Rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), Ublituximab (Briumvi) work?
• How is it taken?
• How effective are Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), ublituximab (Briumvi)?
• Risks and side effects of Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), rituximab (Mabthera, Rituxan), ublituximab (Briumvi)
• Vaccinations
• Sources
• Final note

Sources

I used the following sources to create the content:

• Lecture on pediatric multiple sclerosis by Prof. Dr. Jutta Gärtner as part of the Multiple Sclerosis Management Master’s program
• Lecture on B-cell depleting therapies by Prof. Dr. Xavier Montalban as part of the Multiple Sclerosis Management Master’s program
• Quality manual of the German KKNMS on ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), ofatumumab (Kesimpta, Bonspri), ublituximab (Briumvi)
• MS-Selfie Infocards by Prof. Dr. Gavin Giovannoni
• German Multiple Sclerosis and Fertility Registry (DMSKW)
• German DECIMS information on ocrelizumab

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You may also want to look at the posts on the other DMTs:

• #061: Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) and diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
• #065: Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Brabio)
• #068: Interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaferon, Extavia, Plegridy, Rebif)
• #070: Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
• #072: Natalizumab (Tysabri, Tyruko) for active relapsing remitting MS
• #074: S1P Modulators – Fingolimod (Gilenya), Ozanimod (Zeposia), Ponesimod (Ponvory), Siponimod (Mayzent) for active RRMS & SPMS
• #076: Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada, Campath) for highly active MS
• #078: Cladribine (Mavenclad, Leustat, Litak) for highly active MS

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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