Neurológia pre prax 3/2021

Treatment persistence to ocrelizumab and local experience

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system affecting most commonly young adults. There has been tremendous progress in the treatment of MS over recent years. Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that causes selective depletion of CD20+ B-lymphocytes. The drug has shown its efficacy in treating both relapsing-remitting and primary progressive MS. Medication adherence and persistence play an essential role in the treatment of MS. Adherence to treatment fundamentally contributes to optimal therapeutic outcomes, improved patients' quality of life and reduced healthcare costs. Adherence should be constantly promoted in routine clinical practice.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, treatment, ocrelizumab, adherence, persistence