BMC Neurology (Mar 2020)

Fingolimod after a first unilateral episode of acute optic neuritis (MOVING) – preliminary results from a randomized, rater-blind, active-controlled, phase 2 trial

  • Christian Albert,
  • Janine Mikolajczak,
  • Anja Liekfeld,
  • Sophie K. Piper,
  • Michael Scheel,
  • Hanna G. Zimmermann,
  • Claus Nowak,
  • Jan Dörr,
  • Judith Bellmann-Strobl,
  • Claudia Chien,
  • Alexander U. Brandt,
  • Friedemann Paul,
  • Olaf Hoffmann

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01645-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background Neuroprotection and promotion of remyelination represent important therapeutic gaps in multiple sclerosis (MS). Acute optic neuritis (ON) is a frequent MS manifestation. Based on the presence and properties of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PR) on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, we hypothesized that remyelination can be enhanced by treatment with fingolimod, a S1PR modulator currently licensed for relapsing-remitting MS. Methods MOVING was an investigator-driven, rater-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients with acute unilateral ON, occurring as a clinically isolated syndrome or MS relapse, were randomized to 6 months of treatment with 0.5 mg oral fingolimod or subcutaneous IFN-β 1b 250 μg every other day. The change in multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) latency of the qualifying eye was examined as the primary (month 6 vs. baseline) and secondary (months 3, 6 and 12 vs. baseline) outcome. In addition, full field visual evoked potentials, visual acuity, optical coherence tomography as well as clinical relapses and measures of disability, cerebral MRI, and self-reported visual quality of life were obtained for follow-up. The study was halted due to insufficient recruitment (n = 15), and available results are reported. Results Per protocol analysis of the primary endpoint revealed a significantly larger reduction of mfVEP latency at 6 months compared to baseline with fingolimod treatment (n = 5; median decrease, 15.7 ms) than with IFN-β 1b treatment (n = 4; median increase, 8.15 ms) (p < 0.001 for interaction). Statistical significance was maintained in the secondary endpoint analysis. Descriptive results are reported for other endpoints. Conclusion Preliminary results of the MOVING trial argue in support of a beneficial effect of fingolimod on optic nerve remyelination when compared to IFN-β treatment. Interpretation is limited by the small number of complete observations, an unexpected deterioration of the control group and a difference in baseline mfVEP latencies. The findings need to be confirmed in larger studies. Trial registration The trial was registered as EUDRA-CT 2011–004787-30 on October 26, 2012 and as NCT01647880 on July 24, 2012.

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