Leveraging magnetic resonance imaging - annualized relapse rate relationship to aid early decision making in multiple sclerosis clinical drug development

Main Article Content

Mathangi Gopalakrishnan Mukul Minocha Joga Gobburu

Abstract

Currently, go/no-go decision making in proof-of-concept (POC) multiple sclerosis (MS) trials for promising drug/dose selection are predominantly qualitative in nature. POC trials employ placebo corrected magnetic resonance imaging lesion counts (MRI-T2 counts) as endpoint, whereas, phase 3 trials employ annualized relapse rate at 24 months (ARR-24) as the efficacy endpoint.  The objective of the current investigation is to provide a quantitative framework that can aid informed decision making in MS clinical drug development.   Blinded summary level data on MRI-T2 lesions at 12 months and aggregate ARR-24 across six clinical development programs digitized from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s 2012 science day presentation were utilized to develop a pharmaco-statistical model linking the MRI-T2 lesions at 12 months with ARR-24.   The developed MRI-T2-ARR-24 model was further evaluated by clinical trial simulations and was used to predict the probability of phase 3 clinical trial success given the MRI results in POC trial.  The MRI-T2-ARR-24 model suggested that for a unit increase in the MRI-T2 counts, the mean predicted ARR-24 increased by 10%.  The model correctly predicted the trial outcomes of four out of the six published MS trials with individual trial predicted ARR-24 values within ± 60% bias.  Clinical trial simulations indicated that at least 60% reduction in MRI-T2 counts from placebo in proof-of-concept trials (at any dose or regimen) is needed to achieve a minimum of 80% probability of technical success in the phase 3 trial.  Given the competitive landscape in the MS drug development, the decision tool kit could aid in reducing the failure rate in MS phase 3 trials and provide a quantitative framework for more informed dose selection.  Further it is anticipated that for significant formulation changes post approval, the MRI-T2-ARR-24 model may be used for bridging efficacy (ARR-24) based only on MRI-T2 data.

Article Details

How to Cite
GOPALAKRISHNAN, Mathangi; MINOCHA, Mukul; GOBBURU, Joga. Leveraging magnetic resonance imaging - annualized relapse rate relationship to aid early decision making in multiple sclerosis clinical drug development. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 2, n. 3, oct. 2015. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/394>. Date accessed: 29 mar. 2024.
Keywords
Multiple sclerosis, Annualized relapse rate, MRI lesions
Section
Research Articles

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