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Background: The Konectom™ smartphone-based cognitive processing speed (CPS) test is designed to assess processing speed and account for impact of visuomotor function on performance. Objective: Evaluate reliability and validity of Konectom CPS Test, performed in clinic and remotely. Methods: Data were collected from people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) aged 18–64 years and healthy control participants (HC) matched for age, sex, and education. Remote test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC); correlation with established clinical measures (Spearman correlation coefficients); group analyses between cognitively impaired/unimpaired PwMS; and influence of age, sex, education, and upper limb motor function on CPS Test measures were assessed. Results: Eighty PwMS and 66 HC participated. CPS Test measures from remote tests had good test–retest reliability (ICC of 0.67–0.87) and correlated with symbol digit modalities test (highest |ρ| = 0.80, p < 0.0001). Remote measures were stable (change from baseline < 5%) and correlated with MS disability (highest |ρ| = 0.39, p = 0.0004) measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale. CPS Test measures displayed sensitivity to cognitive impairment (highest d = 1.47). Demographics and motor function had the lowest impact on CPS Test substitution time, a measure accounting for visuomotor function. Conclusion: Konectom CPS Test measures provide valid, reliable remote measurements of cognitive processing speed in PwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective inhibition of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) may offer therapeutic promise in inflammatory conditions, with its role in downstream pro‐inflammatory cytokine signaling. In this first‐in‐human study, we evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of a novel TYK2 inhibitor, PF‐06826647, in healthy participants. This phase I, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study included two treatment periods (single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD)) in healthy participants and a cohort of healthy Japanese participants receiving 400 mg q.d. or placebo in the MAD period (NCT03210961). Participants were randomly assigned to PF‐06826647 or placebo (3:1). Participants received a single oral study drug dose of 3, 10, 30, 100, 200, 400, or 1,600 mg (SAD period), then 30, 100, 400, or 1,200 mg q.d. or 200 mg b.i.d. for 10 days (MAD period). Safety (adverse events (AEs), vital signs, and clinical laboratory parameters), tolerability, and PK were assessed. Overall, 69 participants were randomized to treatment, including six Japanese participants. No deaths, serious AEs, severe AEs, or AEs leading to dose reduction or temporary/permanent discontinuation were observed. All AEs were mild in severity. No clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities or changes in vital signs were detected. PF‐06826647 was rapidly absorbed with a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 2 hours in a fasted state, with modest accumulation (< 1.5‐fold) after multiple dosing and low urinary recovery. PF‐06826647 was well‐tolerated, with an acceptable safety profile for doses up to 1,200 mg q.d. for 10 days, supporting further testing in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PF‐06700841 were assessed in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, single‐ and multiple‐dose escalation, parallel‐group study in healthy subjects and patients with plaque psoriasis. The single ascending dose (1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 200 mg) and multiple ascending dose (MAD; PF‐06700841; up to 175 mg once daily or 50 mg twice daily for 10 days) periods included 54 healthy participants. In addition, 30 patients with psoriasis received PF‐06700841 30 or 100 mg or placebo once daily for 28 days. Single PF‐06700841 doses were rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations ≤ 1 hour, proportional exposure up to 100 mg, and mean half‐life 3.8–7.5 hours. On day 10 of MAD, plasma concentrations peaked at ≤1.5 hours postdose (10–175 mg once daily). Elimination half‐life was 4.9–10.7 hours; steady state was reached by day 8. In psoriasis patients on day 28, peak plasma concentrations occurred at 1–2 hours. Biomarkers IP‐10 and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were reduced and returned to near baseline levels after dosing. Maximal mean percent change from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores for PF‐06700841 30 mg once daily and 100 mg once daily were −67.92% and −96.31%, respectively, in week 4. All adverse events were mild/moderate. PF‐06700841 was safe and well tolerated up to 200 mg once daily in healthy subjects and 100 mg once daily in patients with psoriasis, suggesting potential therapeutic utility in plaque psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smartphones and wearables are revolutionizing the assessment of cognitive and motor function in neurological disorders, allowing for objective, frequent, and remote data collection. However, these assessments typically provide a plethora of sensor-derived measures (SDMs), and selecting the most suitable measure for a given context of use is a challenging, often overlooked problem., Objective: This analysis aims to develop and apply an SDM selection framework, including automated data quality checks and the evaluation of statistical properties, to identify robust SDMs that describe the cognitive and motor function of people with multiple sclerosis (MS)., Methods: The proposed framework was applied to data from a cross-sectional study involving 85 people with MS and 68 healthy participants who underwent in-clinic supervised and remote unsupervised smartphone-based assessments. The assessment provided high-quality recordings from cognitive, manual dexterity, and mobility tests, from which 47 SDMs, based on established literature, were extracted using previously developed and publicly available algorithms. These SDMs were first separately and then jointly screened for bias and normality by 2 expert assessors. Selected SDMs were then analyzed to establish their reliability, using an intraclass correlation coefficient and minimal detectable change at 95% CI. The convergence of selected SDMs with in-clinic MS functional measures and patient-reported outcomes was also evaluated., Results: A total of 16 (34%) of the 47 SDMs passed the selection framework. All selected SDMs demonstrated moderate-to-good reliability in remote settings (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.5-0.85; minimal detectable change at 95% CI 19%-35%). Selected SDMs extracted from the smartphone-based cognitive test demonstrated good-to-excellent correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient, |ρ|>0.75) with the in-clinic Symbol Digit Modalities Test and fair correlation with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (0.25≤|ρ|<0.5). SDMs extracted from the manual dexterity tests showed either fair correlation (0.25≤|ρ|<0.5) or were not correlated (|ρ|<0.25) with the in-clinic 9-hole peg test and EDSS scores. Most selected SDMs from mobility tests showed fair correlation with the in-clinic timed 25-foot walk test and fair to moderate-to-good correlation (0.5<|ρ|≤0.75) with EDSS scores. SDM correlations with relevant patient-reported outcomes varied by functional domain, ranging from not correlated (cognitive test SDMs) to good-to-excellent correlation (|ρ|>0.75) for mobility test SDMs. Overall, correlations were similar when smartphone-based tests were performed in a clinic or remotely., Conclusions: Reported results highlight that smartphone-based assessments are suitable tools to remotely obtain high-quality SDMs of cognitive and motor function in people with MS. The presented SDM selection framework promises to increase the interpretability and standardization of smartphone-based SDMs in people with MS, paving the way for their future use in interventional trials., (©Matthew Scaramozza, Aurélie Ruet, Patrizia A Chiesa, Laïtissia Ahamada, Emmanuel Bartholomé, Loïc Carment, Julie Charre-Morin, Gautier Cosne, Léa Diouf, Christine C Guo, Adrien Juraver, Christoph M Kanzler, Angelos Karatsidis, Claudia Mazzà, Joaquin Penalver-Andres, Marta Ruiz, Aurore Saubusse, Gabrielle Simoneau, Alf Scotland, Zhaonan Sun, Minao Tang, Johan van Beek, Lauren Zajac, Shibeshih Belachew, Bruno Brochet, Nolan Campbell. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 08.11.2024.)

Background: Diroximel fumarate (DRF) is approved for adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Europe and for relapsing forms of MS in the United States. DRF and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) yield bioequivalent exposure of the active metabolite monomethyl fumarate. Prior studies indicated fewer gastrointestinal (GI)-related adverse events (AEs) with DRF compared with DMF., Objective: To report final outcomes from EVOLVE-MS-1., Methods: EVOLVE-MS-1 was an open-label, 96-week, phase 3 study assessing DRF safety, tolerability, and efficacy in patients with RRMS. The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability; efficacy endpoints were exploratory., Results: Overall, 75.7% (800/1057) of patients completed the study; median exposure was 1.8 (range: 0.0-2.0) years. AEs occurred in 938 (88.7%) patients, mostly of mild (28.9%) or moderate (50.3%) severity. DRF was discontinued due to AEs in 85 (8.0%) patients, with < 2% discontinuing due to GI or flushing/flushing-related AEs. At Week 96, mean number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions was significantly reduced from baseline (72.7%; p < 0.0001); adjusted annualized relapse rate was 0.13 (95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.15)., Conclusion: DRF was generally well tolerated over 2 years, with few discontinuations due to AEs; radiological measures indicated decreased disease activity from baseline. These outcomes support DRF as a treatment option in patients with RRMS., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: BAS: research grant support from AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Greenwich Biosciences, Novartis, and Sanofi and consulting and/or speaking fees from Alexion, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cigna, Cycle, EMD Serono, Genentech, Horizon, Janssen, Novartis, Octave Bioscience, Roche, Sanofi, and TG Therapeutics.DLA: consulting fees from Albert Charitable Trust, Alexion Pharma, Biogen, Celgene, Frequency Therapeutics, Genentech, Med-Ex Learning, Merck, Novartis, Population Council, Receptos, Roche, and Sanofi-Aventis; grants from Biogen, Immunotec, and Novartis; and equity interest in NeuroRx.JD: advisory boards for Amicus, Biogen, Janssen, Medis, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva; speaker bureaus for Biogen, Bayer, Hemofarm, Janssen, Medis, Medtronic, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, Teva, and Zentiva; and research grant from Roche.MSF: research/educational grants from Sanofi-Genzyme; honoraria/consultation fees from Alexion/AstraZeneca, BMS (Celgene), EMD Serono, Hoffman La-Roche, Actelion/Janssen (J&J), Novartis, Quanterix, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Canada Innovation; advisory boards/boards of directors for Alexion/AstraZeneca, Atara Biotherapeutics, Bayer Healthcare, Celestra Health, Hoffman La-Roche, Actelion/Janssen (J&J), EMD Serono/Merck Serono, Novartis, and Sanofi-Genzyme; and participated in speakers bureau for Sanofi-Genzyme and EMD Serono.RG: research support and speaker’s honoraria from Bayer-Schering, Biogen Idec, BMS, Chugai, Eisai, Genesis, Janssen, Merck Serono, Nikkiso Pharma, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, Sandoz, and Teva; consulting honoraria from ZLB Behring, Baxter, Roche, and Talecris; and personal stock options in Bayer, Merck, and Roche.MG: consulting fees from Biogen, EMD Serono, Novartis, and Sanofi-Genzyme; research support from Alkermes; and speaker bureaus for Biogen, EMD Serono, Genentech-Roche, and Sanofi-Genzyme.EJ: advisory boards for Biogen and speaker fees from Biogen, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi.CLG: consultant/advisory boards/speaker bureaus for Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Genentech, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, and TG Therapeutics.RTN: consultant for Abata Therapeutics, Banner Life Sciences, BeiGene, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Genzyme, GW Therapeutics, Janssen, Horizon Therapeutics, Lundbeck, NervGen, and TG Therapeutics.DN: research support from and consultant/advisory boards/speaker bureaus for Adamas, Alkermes, Alexion, Bayer, Biogen, Celgene/BMS, EMD Serono, Janssen, Novartis, Roche-Genentech, and Sanofi-Genzyme.JO: research support from Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, and Roche and personal compensation for consulting/speaking from Biogen Idec, BMS, EMD Serono, Eli Lilly, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Novartis.MAHP: consultant/advisory boards/speaker bureaus for Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Genentech, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, and TG Therapeutics.KS: research support from Merck; advisory boards for Biogen, Celgene/BMS, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and TG Therapeutics.FTB: research support and travel grants, through his institution, from the German Science Fund (DFG), German Federal Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF), Bayer-Schering, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and Teva and speaker fees from and advisory boards for Actelion, Alexion, Bayer, Biogen, CSL Behring, Fresenius, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva.AW: adviser fees from AbbVie and research support from AbbVie, Alkermes, and Biogen.TZ: personal compensation for consulting services and speaker honoraria from Bayer, Biogen Idec, Novartis, Sanofi, Synthon, and Teva and financial support for research activities from Bayer, Biogen Idec, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, and Teva.WC-B, HC, SL, MS, SLS, and TW: employees of and hold stock/stock options in Biogen.SW: consulting fees from and advisory boards for Biogen, Celgene, and EMD Serono; speaker bureaus for Biogen, Celgene, EMD Serono, Roche-Genentech, and Sanofi-Genzyme; and research support from Biogen, Celgene, EMD Serono, Novartis, Receptos, Roche-Genentech, Sanofi-Genzyme, and TG.

Selective inhibition of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) may offer therapeutic promise in inflammatory conditions, with its role in downstream pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling. In this first-in-human study, we evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of a novel TYK2 inhibitor, PF-06826647, in healthy participants. This phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study included two treatment periods (single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD)) in healthy participants and a cohort of healthy Japanese participants receiving 400 mg q.d. or placebo in the MAD period (NCT03210961). Participants were randomly assigned to PF-06826647 or placebo (3:1). Participants received a single oral study drug dose of 3, 10, 30, 100, 200, 400, or 1,600 mg (SAD period), then 30, 100, 400, or 1,200 mg q.d. or 200 mg b.i.d. for 10 days (MAD period). Safety (adverse events (AEs), vital signs, and clinical laboratory parameters), tolerability, and PK were assessed. Overall, 69 participants were randomized to treatment, including six Japanese participants. No deaths, serious AEs, severe AEs, or AEs leading to dose reduction or temporary/permanent discontinuation were observed. All AEs were mild in severity. No clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities or changes in vital signs were detected. PF-06826647 was rapidly absorbed with a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 2 hours in a fasted state, with modest accumulation (< 1.5-fold) after multiple dosing and low urinary recovery. PF-06826647 was well-tolerated, with an acceptable safety profile for doses up to 1,200 mg q.d. for 10 days, supporting further testing in patients., (© 2020 Pfizer Inc. Clinical and Translational Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.)

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system leading to progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Until 2010, all approved disease-modifying drugs for MS required parenteral administration, which is associated with suboptimal adherence. It was anticipated that new approaches to treatment, including oral agents such as cladribine tablets, may improve adherence. In 2011, the development of cladribine tablets was stopped following negative feedback from the EMA and FDA., Areas Covered: This article provides an overview of the chemistry, mechanism of action and pharmacological properties of cladribine tablets therapy, and highlights the rationale for its development as an oral treatment for MS. Key efficacy and safety data from the pivotal Phase III CLARITY study are presented, providing context for the opinion received from the regulatory agencies., Expert Opinion: Despite the promising efficacy data observed in the cladribine tablets clinical trial program, regulatory agencies identified a potential risk of increased malignancies, and raised concerns about the implications of sustained lymphocyte depletion. Following the feedback received from the regulatory agencies, Merck Serono made the decision to withdraw the agent from the regulatory approval process. The experience gained will benefit other research efforts to address the outstanding unmet treatment needs of patients with relapsing MS.