Collaborating Across the Continuum™: Managing Relapsing MS – A Focus on the Utility of CD20-Targeted B-Cell Therapy

Release Date: November 30, 2022

Expiration Date: November 30, 2023

Activity Overview

Following the success of anti-CD20 antibodies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), there has been a shift in understanding of its pathophysiology. B cells have been identified as playing a key role in triggering MS disease activity, although it remains unclear which intercepted B-cell function is most relevant in this context. These advances in understanding of the immune mechanisms have led to the development of many immunotherapeutic drugs that target B cells. For example, there have been successful trials for 4 anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in patients with MS, showing that B-cell depletion can be an effective treatment for the relapsing subtype. This activity will focus on developments in understanding the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of MS, emerging therapies, and strategies for developing personalized care to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with relapsing MS (RMS).

Target Audience

This activity is intended for community neurologists, MS specialists, specialty nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, pharmacists, and other members of the MS care team.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, you should be better prepared to:

• Describe the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of MS in order to better recognize potential targets for therapy
• Analyze clinical trial data for current and emerging anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapies in order to optimize treatment choices for appropriate patients with RMS
• Design individualized treatment plans for the optimal management of patients with RMS

Faculty, Staff, and Planners’ Disclosures

The staff of Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

PER® mitigated all COI for faculty, staff, and planners prior to the start of this activity by using a multistep process.

Off-Label Disclosure and Disclaimer

This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Learners are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this accredited activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a health care professional relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition. The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of PER^® or any company that provided commercial support for this activity.

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Continuing Education, CMSC requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education activity disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company within the past 24 months. It is the policy of the CMSC to mitigate all relevant financial disclosures from planners, faculty, and other persons that can affect the content of this CE activity. CMSC seeks to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all educational programs and to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a CE activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. CMSC is committed to providing learners with high-quality CE activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of an ineligible company. For this activity, all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

The planners, reviewers, staff, or other members of the Continuing Professional Education Committee at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers who control content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.