Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40397068›Full record

ArticleNeurology and therapy2025

Disease Course in Patients Switched from Natalizumab to Alemtuzumab: An Italian Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study.

Simona Malucchi, Paola Perini, Francesca Rinaldi, Marta Radaelli, Maria Malentacchi, Antonio Bertolotto, Alessia Di Sapio

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Switching high efficacy therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: Does real world experience support such a strategy?Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Simona MalucchiDepartment of Neurology and CRESM, University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Italy. simona.malucchi@gmail.com.
Paola PeriniMultiple Sclerosis Centre, Neurologic Clinic, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy.
Francesca RinaldiMultiple Sclerosis Centre, Neurologic Clinic, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy.
Marta RadaelliUOC Neurologia ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
Maria MalentacchiDepartment of Neurology and CRESM, University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Italy.
Antonio BertolottoNICO-Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy.
Alessia Di SapioDepartment of Neurology and CRESM, University Hospital San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionNatalizumab is a highly efficacious therapy (HET) for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Its prolonged use is limited by the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients positive for anti-JCV antibodies. Aims of this work were to evaluate clinical and radiological efficacy at 6 and 12 months after alemtuzumab infusion in patients switching from natalizumab and the safety of this exit strategy.

methodsThis real-world, prospective, multicentric, observational study was conducted in three Italian MS centers and included a total of 35 patients with RRMS. Natalizumab treatment occurred from October 2010 to April 2021, whereas switch to alemtuzumab occurred from February 2018 to January 2023. Median washout period between the two drugs was 2 months. Patients underwent brain MRI before alemtuzumab start and then 6 and 12 months after the first alemtuzumab cycle.

resultsNo clinical relapse occurred during the washout period, nor between the first and second alemtuzumab infusion. Radiological activity was present in 4/35 (11%) and 2/35 (6%) patients, respectively, at 6 and 12 months after the first alemtuzumab administration. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) increase developed in 4/35 (11%) and 5/35 patients (14%), respectively, at 6 and 12 months. No PML occurred, nor any serious adverse event. For patients in center 1 (17 patients), follow-up continued for a median of 3.5 years; NEDA-3 (No Evidence of Disease Activity) was present in 14/17 patients (82%) at the end of follow-up. Autoimmunity occurred in 23% of patients.

conclusionsAlemtuzumab is a valid exit strategy after natalizumab interruption.

Indexed as

Exit strategyMultiple sclerosisPatients’ managementSafety

Identifiers

PMID40397068
PMCPMC12255628

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