Efficacy and safety of disease-modifying therapies in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of clinical trials and observational studies.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to review the efficacy and safety profile of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in patients with relapsing pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS).

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized studies with a control group, large single-arm studies, and ongoing (unpublished) studies investigating the use of approved and unapproved DMTs in POMS were included. Eligible published studies were identified in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, and unpublished studies were identified in a clinical trials registry (www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov).

RESULTS

A total of 13 published studies were included in the systematic review: 4 RCTs, 3 observational studies with a control group, and 6 large single-arm studies. The following DMTs for the treatment of POMS were evaluated in the included studies: interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, natalizumab, glatiramer acetate, and ocrelizumab. All DMTs were shown to be effective in reducing relapse rates, preventing disability progression, and reducing disease activity in MRI in patients with POMS. DMTs that are considered highly effective in adults with multiple sclerosis (natalizumab, fingolimod) were also shown to be more effective than interferon beta-1a in POMS. A total of 9 ongoing (unpublished) studies were identified, including 5 RCTs. The following drugs were evaluated: ozanimod, fingolimod, peginterferon beta-1a, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, siponimod, alemtuzumab, and natalizumab.

CONCLUSION

The number of DMTs approved for the treatment of POMS is limited, and some of the available DMTs are used off-label. The available evidence from published studies of varying reliability supports the efficacy of DMTs in POMS. However, well-designed, long-term RCTs in the pediatric population are needed. The results of ongoing studies may fill the existing gap in clinical evidence, possibly leading to the approval of more highly effective DMTs for patients with POMS.

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.