LAUSR

In the special article “Comprehensive systematic review summary: Disease-modifying therapies for adults with multiple sclerosis,” Rae-Grant et al. reported the findings of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology based on reviewing the evidence on starting, switching, and stopping disease-modifying therapies for clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and progressive forms of MS. In response, Dr. Tran, on behalf of Genentech, argues that the report did not make it clear that data on annualized relapse rate reduction and relative risk of in-study disability progression for ocrelizumab (presented along with other therapies in figures 1 and 3) were from direct comparisons with subcutaneous interferon-β-1a 44 μg 3 times weekly in 2 phase 3 randomized, double-blind, double-dummy trials. In response, Dr. Rae-Grant agrees that this information should have been included, but notes that statements in the text of the summary and in a key accompanying table acknowledged the superior efficacy of ocrelizumab compared with interferon- β-1a 3 times weekly. Dr. Rae-Grant also notes that data on subgroup analysis of treatment of highly active MS with ocrelizumab were not available at the time of publication of the systematic review.