N Engl J Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42384871
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Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system, causing episodes of neurologic dysfunction and often gradual disease progression. The immune system primarily targets myelin, t...Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system, causing episodes of neurologic dysfunction and often gradual disease progression. The immune system primarily targets myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers, leading to inflammation and damage, and secondary neurodegeneration is a major cause of long-term disability. Common symptoms include vision problems, sensory disturbances, muscle weakness, balance difficulties, and bladder dysfunction. Important advances in treatment have improved outcomes in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, particularly through highly effective immune-modifying therapies such as CD20-targeting monoclonal antibodies. However, treatment options for progressive forms remain limited, which highlights the need for therapies that can prevent progression and promote myelin repair. Comprehensive symptom management and lifestyle support are also essential to maintaining quality of life and reducing disability.
Torkildsen Ø, Brustad HK, Høgestøl EA
… +20 more, Alstadhaug KB, Bhan A, Flemmen HØ, Habbestad A, Høglund RAA, LeBlanc M, Lopen P, Lorentzen ÅR, Morsund ÅH, Lossius A, Lundby R, Nygaard GO, Rød BE, Simonsen CS, Steffensen L, Torgauten H, Piehl F, Wergeland S, Myhr KM, OVERLORD-MS Investigators
N Engl J Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42384870
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BACKGROUND: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are effective for relapsing multiple sclerosis. However, data from head-to-head trials are lacking. METHODS: In this phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, noninferiority trial, w...BACKGROUND: Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are effective for relapsing multiple sclerosis. However, data from head-to-head trials are lacking. METHODS: In this phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, noninferiority trial, we randomly assigned adults with newly diagnosed relapsing multiple sclerosis and recent disease activity in a 3:2 ratio to receive rituximab or ocrelizumab every 6 months for 24 months. The primary end point was the absence of new or enlarging lesions on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from month 6 to month 24. Noninferiority was defined as a lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the risk difference (rituximab minus ocrelizumab) of greater than or equal to -10 percentage points. Secondary end points included efficacy and safety. RESULTS: A total of 218 participants underwent randomization; 216 received treatment (132 assigned to the rituximab group and 84 assigned to the ocrelizumab group). Between months 6 and 24, the estimated probability of having no new or enlarging lesions detected on T2-weighted MRI was 92.2% with rituximab and 94.8% with ocrelizumab, corresponding to a risk difference of -2.6 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -9.4 to 4.3), which met the prespecified noninferiority criterion. Relapse rates, disability outcomes, and cognitive-performance profiles appeared to be similar in the two groups. Infections were more common in the rituximab group than in the ocrelizumab group (in 82% vs. 69% of participants), although the percentage of participants with serious adverse events was similar in the two groups (8% and 7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In participants with newly diagnosed relapsing multiple sclerosis and recent disease activity, rituximab was noninferior to ocrelizumab in suppressing disease activity as detected by MRI from 6 to 24 months, with a similar incidence of serious adverse events. (Funded by the Research Council of Norway and others; OVERLORD-MS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04578639; EudraCT number, 2020-001205-23; EU Clinical Trials Register number, 2024-510716-71-00.).
Choueiri TK, Motzer RJ, Karam JA
… +25 more, Yip W, Suárez C, Ye D, He Z, Caglevic C, Ferguson T, Chang YH, Rojas C, Iacovelli R, Ürün Y, Verzoni E, Vázquez Limón JC, Porta C, Uzzo RG, Lee JL, Venugopal B, McKay RR, Hammers H, Miyake H, Chahoud J, Liu H, Burgents JE, Sharma M, Powles TB, LITESPARK-022 Investigators
N Engl J Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42384869
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BACKGROUND: Adjuvant pembrolizumab improves disease-free and overall survival among patients with resected clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma. The hypoxia-inducible factor 2α inhibitor belzutifan has activity in advanced di...BACKGROUND: Adjuvant pembrolizumab improves disease-free and overall survival among patients with resected clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma. The hypoxia-inducible factor 2α inhibitor belzutifan has activity in advanced disease. Adjuvant pembrolizumab with belzutifan may further improve outcomes in patients with clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma at increased risk for recurrence. METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned participants in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous pembrolizumab at a dose of 400 mg every 6 weeks (≤9 doses) and either daily oral belzutifan at a dose of 120 mg (pembrolizumab-belzutifan) or placebo (pembrolizumab-placebo) for up to 1 year. The primary end point was disease-free survival as assessed by the investigator; secondary end points included overall survival and safety. RESULTS: A total of 921 participants were assigned to receive pembrolizumab-belzutifan and 920 were assigned to receive pembrolizumab-placebo. The median time from randomization to the data-cutoff date (August 23, 2025) was 28.4 months (range, 15.0 to 40.1). Disease-free survival was significantly higher with pembrolizumab-belzutifan than with pembrolizumab-placebo (hazard ratio for disease recurrence or death, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.87; two-sided P<0.001); the estimated 24-month disease-free survival was 80.7% and 73.7%, respectively. At this interim analysis with 29% of the final-analysis events observed, overall survival did not differ significantly between the groups (hazard ratio for death, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.19; two-sided P = 0.24); the estimated 24-month overall survival was 96.2% with pembrolizumab-belzutifan and 95.7% with pembrolizumab-placebo. Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 52.1% of the participants who received pembrolizumab-belzutifan and in 30.2% of those who received pembrolizumab-placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pembrolizumab-belzutifan led to significantly higher disease-free survival, with a greater risk of grade 3 or higher toxic effects, than treatment with pembrolizumab monotherapy after nephrectomy in participants with clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma at increased risk for recurrence. (Funded by Merck Sharp and Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck [Rahway, NJ]; LITESPARK-022 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05239728.).