b'data from 11 studies involving more than 2,500Targeting memory B cells with MS patients. Results showed that EID and SIDocrelizumab may help manage MS were equally effective in controlling MS, withResearchers from the University of California, no significant difference in disease activity.San Francisco, conducted a study examining However, EID was linked to fewer adverseB cells in MS patients. They found MS patients had effects, making it a potentially safer long-termhigher levels of activated memory B cells than treatment option. The study suggests EID couldhealthy individuals. Treatment with ocrelizumab reduce the treatment burden while maintainingeffectively reduced these activated memory B effectiveness, but further research is neededcells to levels similar to those in healthy controls. to determine long-term outcomes. The nd- The study involved a cohort of 27 MS patients ingswerepublishedinthejournalMultipleand healthy participants. These findings Sclerosis and Related Disorders.suggest targeting activated memory B cells with Throwerocrelizumab may be benecial in managing - B-cell depleting therapies representMS. The study was published in the Journal of an effective class of drugs for managing relapsingNeuroimmunology. forms of MS. Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is typicallyThrower- We are learning more about how administered at a dose of 600 mg intravenouslyB-cell depleting therapies such as Ocrevus every six months. As with any therapy, therework in MS. Earlier, we discussed extended is a balance between efficacy and risk. B-cellinterval dosing of Ocrevus. Traditionally, we therapies can be linked to a higher risk ofhave thought B-cell depleting therapies worked infections, especially upper respiratory infections.by lowering the numbers of inammatory B-cells This became especially concerning during thein the immune system and would have to be COVID-19 pandemic when it was observeddosed regularly to maintain that effect. This that this class of MS therapy was linked to astudy and others show B-cell depleting agents higherriskofhospitalizationsanddeathsmay be reprogramming the immune system compared to other MS DMTs. Many MS Centersin people with MS. Activated memory B-cells beganmodifyinghowOcrevus wasgiven.drive much of the inammation we see in SomediscontinuedthedrugwhileothersMS. These researchers showed that Ocrevus lowered the dose or extended the intervals.returned the numbers of activated B-cells to This retrospective study looks at the effectsthose of healthy controls. This effect lasted on efficacy and safety of extended dosinglonger than the usual six-month dosing period. intervals for Ocrevus. This might mean givingThe bottom line is we may be able to dose drugs Ocrevus every nine months rather than everysuch as rituximab, Ocrevus and Briumvi less six months. These researchers found the EIDfrequently than every six months. This study also suggested we might help the timing of did not lessen the effectiveness of Ocrevus,when a next dose is needed by monitoring but did improve safety.these activated B-cells.HHaavveeYYoouurrSSaayyWe welcome your questions, suggestions, opinions and feedback. Reach us at: editor@msfocus.org, call 800-225-6495, or use the contact form at msfocus.org.45 msfocusmagazine.org'