TABLE 4.
Comparisons between overall patient characteristics in the EXPAND (siponimod) and ASCEND (natalizumab) studies in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis [69, 71]
| EXPAND [71] | ASCEND [69] | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients, n | 1651 | 887 |
| Age, years (mean) | 48 | 47 |
| Time since onset, years (mean) | 17 | 17 |
| Time since MS diagnosis, years (mean) | 13 | 12 |
| Time since PMS diagnosis, years (mean) | 4 | 5 |
| Patients without previous DMT, % patients | 22% | NR |
| Relapse‐free for prior 2 years, % patients | 64% | 71% |
| EDSS (median) | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| EDSS ≥6.0 (proportion) | 56% | 63% |
| Presence of T1 Gd lesions (proportion) | 21% | 24% |
| T2 lesion load, mm2 or cm3 (mean) | 15 cm3 | 17 cm3 |
| On‐study relapses, % patients in the placebo group | 19% | 27% |
| On‐study ARR in the placebo group | 0.16 | 0.17 |
Abbreviations: ARR, annualised relapse rate; DMT, disease‐modifying treatment; EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; Gd, gadolinium; MS, multiple sclerosis; NR, not reported; PMS, progressive multiple sclerosis.