Personalized B-cell tailored dosing of ocrelizumab in patients with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In this observational study, 159 patients with multiple sclerosis received personalized dosing of ocrelizumab incentivized by the COVID-19 pandemic. Re-dosing was scheduled when CD19 B-cell count was ⩾10 cells/µL (starting 24 weeks after the previous dose, repeated 4-weekly). Median interval until re-dosing or last B-cell count was 34 [30–38] weeks. No clinical relapses were reported and a minority of patients showed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression. Monthly serum neurofilament light levels remained stable during extended intervals. Two (1.9%) of 107 patients with a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed radiological disease activity. Personalized dosing of ocrelizumab could significantly extend intervals with low short-term disease activity incidence, encouraging future research on long-term safety and efficacy.