Ocrelizumab's Effects in a Cohort of MS Patients
In a retrospective cohort study of 451 MS patients receiving ocrelizumab, the average annualized relapse rate (ARR) decreased by 87%, and 59% achieved No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA-3) at Year 1. The study reported a 24-week confirmed disability worsening of 8.9% at 36 months and a persistence rate of 90.7%. Safety findings included infusion reactions in 18.4% and 1.0% with opportunistic infections.
- Tags
- #Other
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
This study contributes valuable real-world evidence on ocrelizumab's effectiveness and safety in a MENA cohort, demonstrating substantial reductions in relapse rates and a favorable safety profile. Understanding these outcomes can guide further evaluations of MS treatments in similar populations.
What this does not prove
Limitations include the lack of control, potential selection bias, and the fact that the cohort was mildly affected at treatment initiation. Real-world evidence specifically from the MENA region is still limited.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 451 · total patients included in study
- Randomised
- No
- Controlled
- No
- Primary endpoint met
- Yes
- Relevant MS type
- RRMS, SPMS, PPMS
- Publication date
- 2026-10-07
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Other
Original sources
- Primary evidenceReal-world effectiveness and safety of Ocrelizumab in a gulf multiple sclerosis cohort: extension of the Q-OCRE study to 451 patients. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2026.107971
Supporting passages (16)
study phaseReal-world evidence on ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis (MS) from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is limited.
study designIn a single-center retrospective cohort of all patients starting ocrelizumab at Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar (October 2017-May 2025), the primary outcome was No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA-3) at Year 1; secondary outcomes were annualized relapse rate (ARR), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) trajectory, 24-week confirmed disability worsening (CDW), persistence, and safety.
subjectsA total of 451 patients were included (86.7% RRMS, 7.1% SPMS, 6.2% PPMS; 57.6% female; mean age 34.3 years; median follow-up 18.1 months; 696 person-years).
sample sizeA total of 451 patients were included (86.7% RRMS, 7.1% SPMS, 6.2% PPMS; 57.6% female; mean age 34.3 years; median follow-up 18.1 months; 696 person-years).
sample size basisA total of 451 patients were included (86.7% RRMS, 7.1% SPMS, 6.2% PPMS; 57.6% female; mean age 34.3 years; median follow-up 18.1 months; 696 person-years).
randomizedA total of 451 patients were included (86.7% RRMS, 7.1% SPMS, 6.2% PPMS; 57.6% female; mean age 34.3 years; median follow-up 18.1 months; 696 person-years).
controlledA total of 451 patients were included (86.7% RRMS, 7.1% SPMS, 6.2% PPMS; 57.6% female; mean age 34.3 years; median follow-up 18.1 months; 696 person-years).
primary endpoint metNEDA-3 was 59.0% at Year 1 and 61.7% at Year 2.
research categoriesOcrelizumab showed robust effectiveness and a favorable safety profile in this Gulf cohort, with disability trajectories dissociating by phenotype.
relevant ms typesA total of 451 patients were included (86.7% RRMS, 7.1% SPMS, 6.2% PPMS; 57.6% female; mean age 34.3 years; median follow-up 18.1 months; 696 person-years).
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-07
interventionOcrelizumab
primary endpointthe primary outcome was No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA-3) at Year 1;
follow upmedian follow-up 18.1 months
findingsARR fell from 0.381 to 0.046, an 87% reduction
limitationsReal-world evidence on ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis (MS) from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is limited.
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