Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42587259›Full record

SynthesisCNS drugs2026

Heterogeneity in Teriflunomide Treatment Arms: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Regression of Randomised Multiple Sclerosis Trials.

Francesca Bovis, Alessio Signori, Mirko Capanna, Noemi Montobbio, Maria Pia Sormani

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in CNS drugs, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Francesca BovisDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genova, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3823-4000
Alessio SignoriDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genova, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6289-9144
Mirko CapannaDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genova, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0777-6106
Noemi MontobbioDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genova, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0302-393X
Maria Pia SormaniDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genova, Italy. mariapia.sormani@unige.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6892-104X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTeriflunomide is widely used as an active comparator in Phase 3 randomised trials for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Temporal changes in disease activity within teriflunomide-treated cohorts have not been systematically examined.

objectivesTo assess temporal trends in relapse and disability outcomes across teriflunomide arms of Phase 3 multiple sclerosis (MS) trials and identify predictors of between-trial heterogeneity.

methodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of Phase 3 randomised controlled trials including a teriflunomide arm. PubMed, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to October 2025. Annualised relapse rate (ARR) and 12- and 24-week confirmed disability worsening (CDW) were extracted together with baseline characteristics. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Random-effects meta-analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed.

resultsTwelve teriflunomide cohorts from eight trials involving 4,900 adults with RMS were included. ARR ranged from 0.11 to 0.37 with substantial heterogeneity (I

conclusionTeriflunomide-treated trial populations have shifted toward lower relapse activity over time, and trial start year was the principal predictor of between-trial heterogeneity in ARR in exploratory analyses. These findings most plausibly reflect evolving recruitment and diagnostic practices rather than changes in drug efficacy. Accounting for these temporal dynamics is essential when interpreting outcomes from RMS trial using teriflunomide as comparator.

Indexed as

CrotonatesHydroxybutyratesMultiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-RemittingNitrilesToluidinesClinical Trials, Phase III as TopicHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeCrotonatesHydroxybutyratesNitrilesteriflunomideToluidines

Identifiers

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.