Real Talk Rx: Briumvi®

Briumvi® (ublituximab-xiiy) is a disease-modifying therapy used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Like Kesimpta and Ocrevus, it is an anti-CD20 therapy that targets certain B cells involved in the abnormal immune activity that occurs with MS.

Briumvi® is a laboratory-developed antibody that targets B cells carrying the CD20 protein. It is described as “glycoengineered” because its structure has been modified during production to help the immune system remove these targeted cells. This term refers to the manufacturing process and does not mean that Briumvi is safer or more effective than other anti-CD20 therapies.⁶

Your healthcare team will consider the type and stage of MS, previous treatment, infection risk, antibody levels, liver function, vaccination history, other health conditions, current medications, and pregnancy plans before deciding whether Briumvi is an appropriate treatment for you.³

Who Can Take Briumvi®?

Briumvi® may be prescribed for adults with relapsing forms of MS, including:

• Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
  
• Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
  
• Active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (active SPMS)⁵

Briumvi® is used as a long-term therapy to reduce future MS disease activity. It does not treat a relapse that is already in progress or provide immediate relief from current MS symptoms.⁵

How Does Briumvi® Work?

Briumvi® targets certain B cells, which are part of the immune system. B cells normally help the body fight infections and build protection after vaccination. In MS, some B cells also take part in the immune attack that causes inflammation and damage in the brain and spinal cord.¹,²,³

Many of the B cells involved in this attack carry a protein called CD20. Anti-CD20 therapies attach to this protein and help the immune system remove these B cells. Decreasing the number of these cells reduces immune activity that can cause new RRMS damage.¹,²,³

How Is Briumvi® Taken?

Briumvi® is given by a trained healthcare professional as an infusion.

Treatment begins with two initial infusions:

• The first infusion is given at the start of treatment.
• The second infusion is given 2 weeks after the first.
• The next infusion is given 24 weeks after the first infusion.
• After that, Briumvi is generally given once every 24 weeks, or approximately twice each year.³

The first infusion takes about 4 hours to complete. When treatment is well tolerated, later infusions may be completed in approximately 1 hour.³

Before every infusion, patients receive medications, typically a steroid and an antihistamine, to help lower the chance of an infusion reaction.³

What Does Research Show?

Two major clinical trials compared Briumvi with teriflunomide, another disease-modifying therapy used for relapsing MS.

People who received Briumvi® experienced approximately 49% to 59% fewer relapses than people who received teriflunomide. Briumvi also substantially lowered the number of active, new, or enlarging areas of MS damage found on MRI scans.⁶

However, the trials did not find a clear difference between the two medications in slowing the worsening of problems involving movement, thinking, or daily activities.⁶ The results support Briumvi®’s ability to reduce relapses and RRMS activity, but they do not establish a clear benefit for preventing these problems from worsening.

Possible Side Effects With Anti-CD20 Therapy:

• Infusion reactions
• Upper respiratory infections, such as a stuffy nose, runny nose, or sore throat
• Headache
• Lower respiratory infections
• Herpes infections
• Pain in the arms or legs
• Trouble sleeping
• Low energy¹,²,³

Infusion reactions are the most frequently reported side effects with Briumvi® and are most likely to occur during the first infusion. Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, flu-like symptoms, nausea, throat irritation, a fast heartbeat, or reddened skin.⁵

Possible Serious Side Effects

Seek immediate medical treatment for:

• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Severe rash or hives
• Dizziness or fainting
• Dark urine
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Pain under the right rib cage
• New or worsening weakness
• Vision problems
• Poor coordination
• Confusion
• Memory changes
• Personality changes¹,²,³

Serious risks associated with anti-CD20 therapy may include serious infections, severe infusion reactions, low antibody levels, liver injury, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but serious brain infection.¹,²,³

Patients should tell their healthcare team about new or worsening symptoms, unexpected reactions, medication changes, or other health concerns. Obtain immediate medical help for serious symptoms, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, or signs of a severe reaction.

During treatment, the healthcare team continues to monitor for infections, changes in antibody levels, liver problems, and reactions related to an infusion. Treatment may be delayed when an active infection is present.¹,²,³

What Should You Discuss With Your Doctor?

• Why are you recommending this anti-CD20 therapy for my RRMS?
• How is the medication given, and how often will I receive it?
• What blood tests or vaccines do I need before starting treatment?
• How will you monitor me for infections and other side effects?
• Which symptoms should I report right away?
• How will we determine whether the medication is controlling my RRMS?
• Could my other medications, health conditions, or pregnancy plans affect this treatment choice?
• For females, is pregnancy testing and birth control needed?

What Savings and Support Programs Are Available?

Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis can find access to Briumvi® through several program options. Some of those programs may help lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients with private insurance, provide assistance with insurance coverage and financial support options, help patients locate an infusion center, or provide financial assistance to eligible patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Learn more about savings and support for BRIUMVI® 

Key Points

Do not stop Briumvi® or change your treatment schedule without speaking with your healthcare provider.

• Briumvi® is an anti-CD20 disease-modifying therapy used for relapsing forms of MS.⁵
• After the initial treatment schedule, Briumvi is generally given once every 24 weeks, or approximately twice each year.³
• The first infusion takes about 4 hours, while later infusions may be completed in about 1 hour when treatment is well tolerated.³
• Infection risk, antibody levels, liver function, and vaccines should be reviewed before and during treatment.¹,²,³
• Report signs of infection, severe infusion reactions, liver problems, or new neurologic symptoms to your healthcare team.

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.