Persistence, Discontinuations, and Refill Adherence

A real-world study evaluating VUMERITY persistence, discontinuation rates, and adherence1

Study design

Limitations and disclosures

  • The AcariaHealth SPP lacks detailed baseline data required for comparative analyses vs other DMTs. Also, the exact MS subtype cannot be discerned from this database
  • While PDC measures timely refilling and whether the patient has access to the drug, it cannot definitively determine if a patient is taking each dose of medication as directed
  • Short follow-up period (median duration of VUMERITY treatment was 7.6 months)

aAll patient information was anonymized, and patient confidentiality was maintained through compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Information on patients’ prior DMT use was based on pharmacy records.1

bAny unidentified AE that led to discontinuation within 90 days of starting VUMERITY was counted as a GI AE, to avoid underestimation of discontinuation rate.1

cPDC is widely accepted as a valid measure of patient adherence and is the preferred method for assessing adherence by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance for use in the Medicare plan Star Ratings.1,2

VUMERITY provided high rates of persistence, low discontinuation rates due to GI AEs, and high rates of adherence in a real-world study1

88.6% of patients remained persistent on VUMERITY over 8 months

Persistence to VUMERITY in the overall study population

  • Dashed lines represent 95% confidence intervals.1

Study was funded by Biogen

3.8% discontinuation rate due to GI AEs with VUMERITY in the overall study population1

Discontinuation rate and discontinuation due to GI adverse events

Overall (N =160)

Characteristic

n (%)

95% CI

Discontinued VUMERITY

18 (11.3)

6.7–17.8

Discontinued VUMERITY due to GI AE

6d (3.8)

1.4–8.2

Discontinuation rate and discontinuation due to GI adverse events

DMF-to-VUMERITY
subgroup (n=26)

Characteristic

n (%)

95% CI

Discontinued VUMERITY

2 (7.7)

0.9–27.8

Discontinued VUMERITY due to GI AE

1e,f (3.8)

0.1–21.4
Discontinuation rate and discontinuation due to GI adverse events

Overall (N =160)

DMF-to-VUMERITY
subgroup (n=26)

Characteristic

n (%) 95% CI

n (%) 95% CI

Discontinued VUMERITY

18 (11.3) 6.7–17.8

2 (7.7) 0.9–27.8

Discontinued VUMERITY due to GI AE

6d (3.8) 1.4–8.2

1e,f (3.8) 0.1–21.4
  • Only 1 of the 26 patients (3.8%) who switched from DMF to VUMERITY discontinued VUMERITY due to GI AEsf
  • 86.7% (13/15) of patients who switched from DMF to VUMERITY for a known reason did so due to GI tolerability issuesf

>90% of the patients who switched to VUMERITY from DMF stayed on VUMERITY at the time of the study1

dIn the overall population, the other non–GI-related reasons for DRF treatment discontinuation included “other AE” (n=11) and “Physician Decision – Pursuing Alternate Therapy” (n=1).1

eThe 1 patient in the DMF-to-DRF subgroup who discontinued DRF due to GI AEs had also discontinued prior DMF due to GI AE at 60 days after DMF initiation. After switching to DRF, the patient was treated for 30 days prior to discontinuing.1

fIn the DMF-to-DRF subgroup, the other non–GI-related reasons for DRF treatment discontinuation included “other AE” (n=1).1

 

Study was funded by Biogen

Patients on VUMERITY demonstrated high rates of adherence by PDC in the overall population1

PDC is the preferred method for assessing adherence by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance for use in the Medicare plan Star Ratings1

Study was funded by Biogen

The study population consisted of real-world VUMERITY patients

80.6% of patients were women, and the median age was 51 years

Patient demographics and baseline characteristics (N=160)

Age, years

US regiong

Median (range)

51 (20–79)

Northeast

19 (11.9)

Age <55 years

100 (62.5)

Midwest

42 (26.3)

Age ≥55 years

60 (37.5)

South

63 (39.4)

Female

129 (80.6)

West

36 (22.5)

MS diagnosis

No prior DMTh

131 (81.9)

Confirmed by ICD-10-CM code for MS

124 (77.5)

Prior DMT

Inferred by drug therapy classification of MS

36 (22.5)

Interferon

5 (3.1)

Teriflunomide

1 (0.6)

Dimethyl fumarate

26 (16.3)

DRF treatment duration, months, median (range)

7.6 (0.1–10.4)
Patient demographics and baseline characteristics (N=160)

Age, years

Median (range)

51 (20–79)

Age <55 years

100 (62.5)

Age ≥55 years

60 (37.5)

Female

129 (80.6)

MS diagnosis

Confirmed by ICD-10-CM code for MS

124 (77.5)

Inferred by drug therapy classification of MS

36 (22.5)

Patient demographics and baseline characteristics (N=160)

US regiong

Northeast

19 (11.9)

Midwest

42 (26.3)

South

63 (39.4)

West

36 (22.5)

No prior DMTh

131 (81.9)

Prior DMT

Interferon

5 (3.1)

Teriflunomide

1 (0.6)

Dimethyl fumarate

26 (16.3)

DRF treatment duration, months, median (range)

7.6 (0.1–10.4)

All values reported as n (%) unless otherwise indicated. 

  • Diagnosis of MS was either determined by ICD-10-CM code for MS (n=124) or inferred by drug therapy classification of MS (n=36)
  • 81.9% of patients had no prior DMT, based on pharmacy records, and of patients in the overall study population, 16.3% were previously treated with DMF
  • Patients were treated for a median duration of 7.6 months

gRegional breakdown based on 2020 US Census categories for region.1

hBased on pharmacy records.1

Study was funded by Biogen

Indication

VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

Important Safety Information

CONTRAINDICATIONS

VUMERITY is contraindicated in patients

  • With known hypersensitivity to diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, or to any of the excipients of VUMERITY. Reactions may include anaphylaxis and angioedema
  • Taking dimethyl fumarate

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Anaphylaxis and Angioedema

  • VUMERITY can cause anaphylaxis and angioedema after the first dose or at any time during treatment. Signs and symptoms in patients taking dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY) have included difficulty breathing, urticaria, and swelling of the throat and tongue. Patients should be instructed to discontinue VUMERITY and seek immediate medical care should they experience signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis or angioedema

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has occurred in patients with MS treated with dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY). PML is an opportunistic viral infection of the brain caused by the JC virus (JCV) that typically only occurs in patients who are immunocompromised, and that usually leads to death or severe disability. A fatal case of PML occurred in a patient who received dimethyl fumarate for 4 years while enrolled in a clinical trial
  • PML has occurred in patients taking dimethyl fumarate in the postmarketing setting in the presence of lymphopenia (<0.9 x 109/L). While the role of lymphopenia in these cases is uncertain, the PML cases have occurred predominantly in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.8×109/L persisting for more than 6 months
  • At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold VUMERITY and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms. Monitoring with MRI for signs consistent with PML may be useful, and any suspicious findings should lead to further investigation to allow for an early diagnosis of PML, if present

Herpes Zoster and Other Serious Opportunistic Infections

  • Serious cases of herpes zoster have occurred in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY), including disseminated herpes zoster, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, herpes zoster meningoencephalitis, and herpes zoster meningomyelitis. These events may occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients on VUMERITY for signs and symptoms of herpes zoster. If herpes zoster occurs, appropriate treatment for herpes zoster should be administered
  • Other serious opportunistic infections have occurred with dimethyl fumarate, including cases of serious viral (herpes simplex virus, West Nile virus, cytomegalovirus), fungal (Candida and Aspergillus), and bacterial (Nocardia, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis) infections. These infections have been reported in patients with reduced absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) as well as in patients with normal ALC. These infections have affected the brain, meninges, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin, eye, and ear. Patients with symptoms and signs consistent with any of these infections should undergo prompt diagnostic evaluation and receive appropriate treatment
  • Consider withholding VUMERITY treatment in patients with herpes zoster or other serious infections until the infection has resolved

Lymphopenia

  • VUMERITY may decrease lymphocyte counts. In the MS placebo-controlled trials with dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY), mean lymphocyte counts decreased by approximately 30% during the first year of treatment with dimethyl fumarate and then remained stable. Four weeks after stopping dimethyl fumarate, mean lymphocyte counts increased but did not return to baseline. The incidence of infections and serious infections was similar in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or placebo. There was no increased incidence of serious infections observed in patients with lymphocyte counts <0.8 x 109/L or ≤0.5 x 109/L in controlled trials, although one patient in an extension study developed PML in the setting of prolonged lymphopenia (lymphocyte counts predominantly <0.5 x 109/L for 3.5 years)
  • In controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials with dimethyl fumarate, 2% of patients experienced lymphocyte counts <0.5 x 109/L for at least six months, and in this group the majority of lymphocyte counts remained <0.5 x 109/L with continued therapy. Neither VUMERITY nor dimethyl fumarate have been studied in patients with preexisting low lymphocyte counts
  • Obtain a complete blood count (CBC), including lymphocyte count, before initiating treatment with VUMERITY, 6 months after starting treatment, and then every 6 to 12 months thereafter, and as clinically indicated. Consider interruption of VUMERITY in patients with lymphocyte counts less than 0.5 x 109/L persisting for more than six months. Given the potential for delayed recovery of lymphocyte counts, continue to obtain lymphocyte counts until their recovery if VUMERITY is discontinued or interrupted because of lymphopenia. Consider withholding treatment from patients with serious infections until resolution

Liver Injury

  • Clinically significant cases of liver injury have been reported in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY) in the postmarketing setting. The onset has ranged from a few days to several months after initiation of treatment with dimethyl fumarate. Signs and symptoms of liver injury, including elevation of serum aminotransferases to greater than 5-fold the upper limit of normal and elevation of total bilirubin to greater than 2-fold the upper limit of normal have been observed. These abnormalities resolved upon treatment discontinuation. Some cases required hospitalization. None of the reported cases resulted in liver failure, liver transplant, or death. However, the combination of new serum aminotransferase elevations with increased levels of bilirubin caused by drug-induced hepatocellular injury is an important predictor of serious liver injury that may lead to acute liver failure, liver transplant, or death in some patients
  • Elevations of hepatic transaminases (most no greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal) were observed during controlled trials with dimethyl fumarate
  • Obtain serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin levels prior to treatment with VUMERITY and during treatment as clinically indicated. Discontinue VUMERITY if clinically significant liver injury induced by VUMERITY is suspected

Flushing

  • VUMERITY may cause flushing (e.g., warmth, redness, itching, and/or burning sensation). In clinical trials of dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY), 40% of dimethyl fumarate-treated patients experienced flushing. Flushing symptoms generally began soon after initiating dimethyl fumarate and usually improved or resolved over time. In the majority of patients who experienced flushing, it was mild or moderate in severity. Three percent (3%) of patients discontinued dimethyl fumarate for flushing and <1% had serious flushing symptoms that were not life-threatening but led to hospitalization

ADVERSE REACTIONS

  • The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and ≥2% more than placebo) for dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY) were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea
  • Gastrointestinal adverse reactions: Dimethyl fumarate caused GI events (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia). The incidence of GI events was higher early in the course of treatment (primarily in month 1) and usually decreased over time in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate compared with placebo. Four percent (4%) of patients treated with dimethyl fumarate and less than 1% of placebo patients discontinued due to gastrointestinal events. The incidence of serious GI events was 1% in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate
  • Hepatic transaminases: An increased incidence of elevations of hepatic transaminases in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate was seen primarily during the first six months of treatment and most patients with elevations had levels <3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) during controlled trials. There were no elevations in transaminases ≥ 3 times the ULN with concomitant elevations in total bilirubin >2 times the ULN. Discontinuations due to elevated hepatic transaminases were <1% and were similar in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or placebo
  • Eosinophilia adverse reactions: A transient increase in mean eosinophil counts was seen during the first 2 months of therapy

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Renal Impairment

  • No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with mild renal impairment. Because of an increase in the exposure of a major metabolite, use of VUMERITY is not recommended in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment

Please see full Prescribing Information.

AEs=adverse events; CI=confidence interval; DMF=dimethyl fumarate; DMT=disease-modifying therapy; DRF=diroximel fumarate; GI=gastrointestinal;
ICD-10-CM=International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification; MS=multiple sclerosis; PDC=proportion of days covered; SPP=Specialty Pharmacy Program.
References: 1. Liseno J, et al. Neurol Ther. 2021;10:349-360.  2. Biogen, Data on file.

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