Ocrelizumab treatment and disability progression in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals with relapsing multiple sclerosis
In a post hoc analysis of trials involving ocrelizumab, non-Hispanic Black (n=65) and Hispanic/Latino people (n=213) with relapsing MS showed increased 24-week disability progression risk compared to non-Hispanic White individuals (n=1350). Ocrelizumab reduced B cells and disability progression risk in all demographics, but results were not statistically significant for non-Hispanic Black (p=0.13) while significant for Hispanic/Latino (p=0.003).
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
This study highlights disparities in disability progression among different racial and ethnic groups with multiple sclerosis, suggesting that genetic and ancestral background may influence disease outcomes. It also points to the potential of ocrelizumab to lower progression risk in relapsing MS patients.
What this does not prove
This was a post hoc analysis, limiting generalizability, and it may not account for all confounding factors affecting outcomes. It does not establish causation or imply efficacy in humans beyond the studied population.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- No
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-28
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latino, and non-Hispanic White individuals with relapsing multiple sclerosis
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- CD19+ B cells
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
Supporting passages (12)
sample size basisMETHODS: This post hoc analysis included people with relapsing multiple sclerosis from ocrelizumab trials (NCT01247324/NCT01412333) self-reporting as non-Hispanic Black (n = 65), Hispanic/Latino (n = 213), or non-Hispanic White (n = 1350).
randomizedNo
publication date2026-10-28
interventionocrelizumab
comparatorinterferon beta-1a
primary endpoint24-week composite confirmed disability progression risk
populationCONCLUSION: Compared with non-Hispanic White people, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino people with relapsing multiple sclerosis showed higher disease progression risk.
biomarkersCD19+ B cells
findingsRESULTS: In the interferon beta-1a treatment arm, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino people with relapsing multiple sclerosis had increased 24-week cCDP risk compared with non-Hispanic White people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) non-Hispanic Black: 3.0 (1.4-6.5); p = 0.005; Hispanic/Latino: 2.3 (1.6-3.4); p < 0.001). Composite confirmed disability progression risk was greater in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis with higher African (hazard ratio: 4.4 (1.7-11.2); p = 0.002) or Americas ancestry (hazard ratio: 5.8 [2.7-12.4]; p < 0.001) than European ancestry. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino people with relapsing multiple sclerosis had increased baseline CD19+ B cells. Compared with interferon beta-1a, ocrelizumab reduced B cells in all groups (p < 0.001) and decreased composite confirmed disability progression risk in all people with relapsing multiple sclerosis, including non-Hispanic Black (hazard ratio: 0.41 (0.13-1.29); p = 0.13) and Hispanic/Latino (hazard ratio: 0.38 (0.20-0.72); p = 0.003).
limitationsTitle: Ocrelizumab treatment and disability progression in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A post hoc analysis of the OPERA I and II trials.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsTitle: Ocrelizumab treatment and disability progression in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic or Latino individuals with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A post hoc analysis of the OPERA I and II trials.
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