Shortening the washout period to four weeks when switching from Biogen’s Tysabri (natalizumab) to Novartis’ Gilenya (fingolimod) is safe and reduces the chances of experiencing a disease flare in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a small Swiss study found.
A four-week washout reduced the risk of having a disease relapse or an increase in disease activity, compared with an eight-week washout period, for two years after switching from Tysabri to Gilenya.
The study “Shortening the washout to 4 weeks when switching from natalizumab to fingolimod and risk of disease reactivation in multiple sclerosis” was published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
Although Tysabri effectively slows worsening of MS symptoms and the appearance of disease flares, its use is under a strict risk management plan as it heightens the risk of developing a rare and life-threatening brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Some patients may switch to Gilenya, an alternative disease-modifying therapy for RRMS. Gilenya has been associated with a lower risk of PML infection and seen to reduce relapses, disability worsening, and the appearance of new brain lesions on clinical trials. It also is the only therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for children with MS as young as 10.
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