Safety and efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in ALS: Randomised controlled study
Publication Details
Vucic, S.,
Henderson, R. D.,
Mathers, S.,
Needham, M.,
Schultz, D.,
Kiernan, M. C.,
&
and the TEALS study group
(2021).
Safety and efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in ALS: Randomised controlled study.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 8 (10), 1991-1999.
Abstract
Objective: Neuroinflammation is an important pathogenic mechanism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediating a slower rate of disease progression. Dimethyl fumarate enhances Treg levels and suppresses pro-inflammatory T cells. The present study assessed the safety and efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in ALS.
Methods: Phase-2, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial recruited participants from May 1, 2018 to September 25, 2019, across six Australian sites. Participants were randomised (2:1 ratio) to dimethyl fumarate (480 mg/day) or matching placebo, completing visits at screening, baseline, weeks 12, 24 and 36. The primary efficacy endpoint was a change in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) at week 36. Secondary outcome measures included survival, neurophysiological index (NI), respiratory function, urinary neurotrophin-receptor p75 and quality of life.
Results: A total of 107 participants were randomised to dimethyl fumarate (n = 72) or placebo
(n = 35). ALSFRS-R score was not significantly different at week 36 (-1.12 [-3.75 to 1.52, p = 0.41]). Dimethyl fumarate was associated with a reduced NI decline week 36 (differences in the least-squares mean: (0.84 [-0.51 to 2.22, p = 0.22]). There were no significant differences in other secondary outcome measures. Safety profiles were comparable between groups.
Interpretation: Dimethyl fumarate, in combination with riluzole, was safe and well-tolerated in
ALS. There was no significant improvement in the primary endpoint. The trial provides class I evidence for safety and lack of efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in ALS.
Keywords
randomised controlled study, dimethyl fumarate, safety, efficacy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
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