Roche has announced data from its SAkuraSky study, in which the investigational medicine “satralizumab” – formerly SA237 – was evaluated for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD); an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system.
The results of the trial found that only eight of 41 patients (20%) treated with satralizumab in combination with baseline immunosuppressant therapy experienced a protocol-defined relapse (PDR), compared to 18 of 42 patients (43%) treated with placebo.
Further to these findings, 89%, 78% and 74% of patients on satralizumab in combination with baseline therapy were relapse-free at weeks 48, 96 and 144 compared to 66%, 59% and 49% with placebo in combination with baseline therapy.
In addition, In the AQP4-IgG seropositive subgroup analysis – a group of patients that experience a more severe disease course – three of 27 patients (11%) treated with satralizumab experienced a PDR compared to 12 of 28 patients (43%) treated with placebo
Overall, the proportion of patients with serious adverse events was similar between the satralizumab and placebo treatment groups and a lower rate of infections (including serious infections) was observed in patients treated with the drug compared with the placebo group.
