Evaluation of long-term efficacy of disease-modifying agents in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Objective. Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) still remains a fundamental treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, data about their resudual effect and relapse severity after the discontinuation of treatment remain scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of residual effect of metenkefalin and tridecactide, as a novel disease-modifying agent (DMT), in treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Materials and methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted to examine number and severity of relapses in a two-year period after the discontinuation of DMT. Data of total of 40 patients were included in the study analysis. Of that number, 32 received combination of metenkefalin and tridecactide, while 8 patients received interferon-β–1b (IFN-β-1b). The objective parameter for relapse severity was Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Results. 8 out of 40 patients who received DMT were hospitalized for relapses in a two-year period after the end of treatment. All of them after discountinuation of treatment with combination of metenkefalin and tridecactide. The median age of patients was 41.38±10.1 years (range from 26 to 60 years). Two thirds of these patients (6 patients) had only one relapse. The median time from the end of the treatment to relapse was 8.15±3.65 months (range from 1.5 from 14.7 months). The median value of EDSS score during the relapses was 3.25 (3.04.25) and it was significantly higher than the median value of EDSS score at the end of metenkefalin and tridecactide treatment [2.5(1.38-3.0)] (p=0.041; p>0.05). Conclusion. The results of our study indicate some residual effect of metenkefalin and tridecactide treatment on relapse rate that should be further explored.