Ofatumumab and the Anti-CD20 Class
An expert discusses takeaways about the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody class of disease-modifying therapies for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis through the lens of ofatumumab (Kesimpta; Novartis).
Transcript below.
Patricia K. Coyle, MD: Clinicians should think about [these real-world ofatumumab data from the standpoint of this] as a class of medications. The anti-CD20s are high-efficacy treatment [for multiple sclerosis], and are relatively well-tolerated. Ofatumumab [Kesimpta; Novartis] is joining this group. As people recall, you give this subcutaneously at home every 4 weeks, and you typically don't need to pre-medicate for the injection. So it's well-tolerated. And because of that, it's fitting right in. The use [of this agent] is there immediately because I think people feel comfortable with the anti-CD20 class.
We'll continue to look at this cohort, and as the numbers get larger and larger, it's going to give us a more and more accurate picture of how individuals in the United States are using this new disease-modifying therapy. I think potentially, that will give us some very important insights.
