Practical recommendations on treatment of multiple sclerosis with Cladribine: an Israeli Experts Group‏ Viewpoint

Abstract

Cladribine tablets (Mavenclad^®) were approved by the European Union in 2017 as high-efficacy therapy for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. In Israel, Mavenclad^® was approved in 2018. Real-life experience has confirmed the efficacy of cladribine tablets over at least 4 years from the initial course. During the last years, several questions were raised concerning the management of people with MS who show disease activity during years 3 and 4 post-cladribine initiation and what treatment decisions are needed beyond year 4. A few expert boards have tried to provide insight based on research data and to suggest recommendations on the therapeutic dilemmas and treatment decisions with cladribine. However, there is currently no widely accepted consensus about these issues. The vast clinical experience gained in Israel in the past 5 years in several MS centers across the country allows for a broad perspective of the outcomes with long-term cladribine use. This article summarizes previously published recent recommendations and describes the insights of Israeli neurology key opinion leaders that convened for an advisory board meeting on January 29th, 2023, with the aim of reaching a consensus regarding cladribine long-term treatment and follow-up.

Keywords: Cladribine tablets; Disease activity; Multiple sclerosis.