Rituximab Versus Ravulizumab, Inebilizumab, Satralizumab, and Eculizumab in NMOSD
BEST-NMOSD
A Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Trial of Rituximab Versus Ravulizumab, Inebilizumab, Satralizumab and Eculizumab To Prevent Relapses in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
1 other identifier
interventional
540
2 countries
3
Brief Summary
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune condition that mainly affects the eyes and spinal cord, causing serious symptoms such as vision loss, paralysis, and severe pain. This trial compares the effectiveness and safety of five medications commonly used to prevent NMOSD relapses: rituximab, ravulizumab, inebilizumab, satralizumab, and eculizumab. In this study, 160 adults with NMOSD who test positive for a specific antibody (AQP4-IgG) will participate. They will be randomly assigned to receive either rituximab or one of the four other FDA-approved medications. The main goal is to find out which treatment best prevents relapses and has fewer serious side effects. The trial will also measure disability, patient satisfaction, quality of life, and biomarkers that help track disease activity. Participants will have regular assessments, including medical exams, surveys, and tests for vision, walking ability, and brain function. They will report any side effects or health issues experienced during the study. The trial will last from one to four years for each participant. This research aims to help patients and doctors make better-informed treatment decisions by providing clear evidence about the best available therapies for NMOSD.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for phase_4
Started May 2026
Longer than P75 for phase_4
3 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 21, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 8, 2025
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
May 1, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
January 1, 2030
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
May 1, 2030
March 16, 2026
March 1, 2026
3.7 years
May 21, 2025
March 13, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Time to adjudicated safety or tolerability failure
Includes adverse events, tolerability, patient preference, or logistical barriers.
From date of randomization until the date of first adjudicated safety or tolerability failure or adjudicated relapse, whichever comes first, assessed up to 48 months
Time to adjudicated relapse
As determined by the blinded Relapse Adjudication Committee using pre-specified clinical and imaging criteria
From date of randomization until the date of adjudicated relapse or first treatment discontinuation, whichever comes first, assessed up to 48 months
Secondary Outcomes (12)
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
Baseline and every 12 months through study completion, an average of 30 months and a maximum of 48 months
Timed 25-Foot Walk
Baseline and every 12 months through study completion, an average of 30 months and a maximum of 48 months
9-Hole Peg Test
Baseline and every 12 months through study completion, an average of 30 months and a maximum of 48 months
Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)
Baseline and every 12 months through study completion, an average of 30 months and a maximum of 48 months
Landolt High Contrast Visual Acuity
Baseline and every 12 months through study completion, an average of 30 months and a maximum of 48 months
- +7 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (5)
Rituximab
ACTIVE COMPARATORComplement inhibitors
EXPERIMENTALRavulizumab or eculizumab
Inebilizumab
EXPERIMENTALSatralizumab
EXPERIMENTALOpen-label, non-randomized
OTHEROpen-label, non-randomized
Interventions
1000 mg at weeks 0 and 2 followed by 1000 mg every 6 months
900 mg weekly for 4 weeks, followed by 1200 mg every 2 weeks
* 40 to \< 60 kg: 2400 mg * 60 to \< 100 kg: 2700 mg * 100 kg: 3000 mg as an induction dose, followed by * 40 to \< 60 kg: 3000 mg * 60 to \< 100 kg: 3300 mg * 100 kg: 3600 mg Every 8 weeks starting 15 days after loading dose
120 mg at Weeks 0, 2, 4, followed by 120 mg every 4 weeks
300 mg on Day 1 and Day 15, followed by 300 mg every 6 months
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Diagnosis of NMOSD according to the 2015 International Panel for NMO Diagnosis (IPND) consensus criteria.
- Seropositivity for AQP4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) confirmed by a cell-based assay (either live or fixed) that meets the threshold for positivity set by the local testing laboratory.
- Age ≥18 years at the time of consent.
- Ability and willingness to provide informed consent and comply with all study procedures, including scheduled visits, laboratory tests, and assessments.
- Eligible to receive any of the study drugs based on clinical judgment
You may not qualify if:
- Known active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, defined as a positive hepatitis B surface antigen or detectable HBV DNA by PCR.
- Known active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined as detectable HCV RNA by PCR.
- Known active or latent tuberculosis, evidenced by a positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) unless fully treated per local guidelines before enrollment.
- Known or suspected immunodeficiency disorders, including but not limited to HIV infection with CD4 count \<200 cells/mm³ or any condition requiring chronic immunosuppressive therapy outside the scope of the study drugs.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding, or intention to conceive during the study period. Pregnancy is excluded due to insufficient safety data for the investigational treatments in this population. Women of childbearing potential must agree to use effective contraception throughout the study and for a defined period following the last dose of study drug, per product labeling or institutional guidance.
- Any medical, psychiatric, or neurological condition that, in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with study participation, pose additional risk to the participant, or confound interpretation of study results.
- Inability or unwillingness to comply with the requirements of the protocol, including scheduled visits, evaluations, or procedures, based on investigator assessment.
- Known hypersensitivity or severe allergic reaction to any component of the study drugs or pre-medications required for infusion.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Massachusetts General Hospitallead
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institutecollaborator
- Charite University, Berlin, Germanycollaborator
- The Sumaira Foundationcollaborator
Study Sites (3)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Related Publications (25)
Barreras P, Vasileiou ES, Filippatou AG, Fitzgerald KC, Levy M, Pardo CA, Newsome SD, Mowry EM, Calabresi PA, Sotirchos ES. Long-term Effectiveness and Safety of Rituximab in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and MOG Antibody Disease. Neurology. 2022 Nov 29;99(22):e2504-e2516. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201260. Epub 2022 Aug 31.
PMID: 36240094BACKGROUNDYamamura T, Weinshenker B, Yeaman MR, De Seze J, Patti F, Lobo P, von Budingen HC, Kou X, Weber K, Greenberg B. Long-term safety of satralizumab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) from SAkuraSky and SAkuraStar. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Oct;66:104025. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104025. Epub 2022 Jul 5.
PMID: 36007339BACKGROUNDRensel M, Zabeti A, Mealy MA, Cimbora D, She D, Drappa J, Katz E. Long-term efficacy and safety of inebilizumab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Analysis of aquaporin-4-immunoglobulin G-seropositive participants taking inebilizumab for ⩾4 years in the N-MOmentum trial. Mult Scler. 2022 May;28(6):925-932. doi: 10.1177/13524585211047223. Epub 2021 Oct 1.
PMID: 34595983BACKGROUNDKumpfel T, Giglhuber K, Aktas O, Ayzenberg I, Bellmann-Strobl J, Haussler V, Havla J, Hellwig K, Hummert MW, Jarius S, Kleiter I, Klotz L, Krumbholz M, Paul F, Ringelstein M, Ruprecht K, Senel M, Stellmann JP, Bergh FT, Trebst C, Tumani H, Warnke C, Wildemann B, Berthele A; Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Update on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) - revised recommendations of the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Part II: Attack therapy and long-term management. J Neurol. 2024 Jan;271(1):141-176. doi: 10.1007/s00415-023-11910-z. Epub 2023 Sep 7.
PMID: 37676297BACKGROUNDNosadini M, Alper G, Riney CJ, Benson LA, Mohammad SS, Ramanathan S, Nolan M, Appleton R, Leventer RJ, Deiva K, Brilot F, Gorman MP, Waldman AT, Banwell B, Dale RC. Rituximab monitoring and redosing in pediatric neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2016 Jan 21;3(1):e188. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000188. eCollection 2016 Feb.
PMID: 26819962BACKGROUNDRover C, Friede T. Dynamically borrowing strength from another study through shrinkage estimation. Stat Methods Med Res. 2020 Jan;29(1):293-308. doi: 10.1177/0962280219833079. Epub 2019 Mar 1.
PMID: 30821201BACKGROUNDWingerchuk DM, Banwell B, Bennett JL, Cabre P, Carroll W, Chitnis T, de Seze J, Fujihara K, Greenberg B, Jacob A, Jarius S, Lana-Peixoto M, Levy M, Simon JH, Tenembaum S, Traboulsee AL, Waters P, Wellik KE, Weinshenker BG; International Panel for NMO Diagnosis. International consensus diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Neurology. 2015 Jul 14;85(2):177-89. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001729. Epub 2015 Jun 19.
PMID: 26092914BACKGROUNDMarcinno A, Marnetto F, Valentino P, Martire S, Balbo A, Drago A, Leto M, Capobianco M, Panzica G, Bertolotto A. Rituximab-induced hypogammaglobulinemia in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2018 Sep 13;5(6):e498. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000498. eCollection 2018 Nov.
PMID: 30258855BACKGROUNDClardy SL, Pittock SJ, Aktas O, Nakahara J, Isobe N, Centonze D, Fam S, Kielhorn A, Yu JC, Jansen J, Zhang I. Network Meta-analysis of Ravulizumab and Alternative Interventions for the Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Neurol Ther. 2024 Jun;13(3):535-549. doi: 10.1007/s40120-024-00597-7. Epub 2024 May 9.
PMID: 38722571BACKGROUNDYamamura T, Kleiter I, Fujihara K, Palace J, Greenberg B, Zakrzewska-Pniewska B, Patti F, Tsai CP, Saiz A, Yamazaki H, Kawata Y, Wright P, De Seze J. Trial of Satralizumab in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. N Engl J Med. 2019 Nov 28;381(22):2114-2124. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1901747.
PMID: 31774956BACKGROUNDPittock SJ, Barnett M, Bennett JL, Berthele A, de Seze J, Levy M, Nakashima I, Oreja-Guevara C, Palace J, Paul F, Pozzilli C, Yountz M, Allen K, Mashhoon Y, Kim HJ. Ravulizumab in Aquaporin-4-Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Ann Neurol. 2023 Jun;93(6):1053-1068. doi: 10.1002/ana.26626. Epub 2023 Apr 5.
PMID: 36866852BACKGROUNDPittock SJ, Berthele A, Fujihara K, Kim HJ, Levy M, Palace J, Nakashima I, Terzi M, Totolyan N, Viswanathan S, Wang KC, Pace A, Fujita KP, Armstrong R, Wingerchuk DM. Eculizumab in Aquaporin-4-Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. N Engl J Med. 2019 Aug 15;381(7):614-625. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1900866. Epub 2019 May 3.
PMID: 31050279BACKGROUNDTahara M, Oeda T, Okada K, Kiriyama T, Ochi K, Maruyama H, Fukaura H, Nomura K, Shimizu Y, Mori M, Nakashima I, Misu T, Umemura A, Yamamoto K, Sawada H. Safety and efficacy of rituximab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (RIN-1 study): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Neurol. 2020 Apr;19(4):298-306. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30066-1. Epub 2020 Mar 18.
PMID: 32199095BACKGROUNDKim SH, Huh SY, Lee SJ, Joung A, Kim HJ. A 5-year follow-up of rituximab treatment in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. JAMA Neurol. 2013 Sep 1;70(9):1110-7. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.3071.
PMID: 23897062BACKGROUNDKleiter I, Gold R. Present and Future Therapies in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2016 Jan;13(1):70-83. doi: 10.1007/s13311-015-0400-8.
PMID: 26597098BACKGROUNDTrebst C, Jarius S, Berthele A, Paul F, Schippling S, Wildemann B, Borisow N, Kleiter I, Aktas O, Kumpfel T; Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Update on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica: recommendations of the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). J Neurol. 2014 Jan;261(1):1-16. doi: 10.1007/s00415-013-7169-7. Epub 2013 Nov 23.
PMID: 24272588BACKGROUNDSellner J, Boggild M, Clanet M, Hintzen RQ, Illes Z, Montalban X, Du Pasquier RA, Polman CH, Sorensen PS, Hemmer B. EFNS guidelines on diagnosis and management of neuromyelitis optica. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Aug;17(8):1019-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03066.x. Epub 2010 Jun 7.
PMID: 20528913BACKGROUNDMealy MA, Kessler RA, Rimler Z, Reid A, Totonis L, Cutter G, Kister I, Levy M. Mortality in neuromyelitis optica is strongly associated with African ancestry. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2018 Jun 7;5(4):e468. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000468. eCollection 2018 Jul. No abstract available.
PMID: 29892608BACKGROUNDKim SH, Mealy MA, Levy M, Schmidt F, Ruprecht K, Paul F, Ringelstein M, Aktas O, Hartung HP, Asgari N, Tsz-Ching JL, Siritho S, Prayoonwiwat N, Shin HJ, Hyun JW, Han M, Leite MI, Palace J, Kim HJ. Racial differences in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurology. 2018 Nov 27;91(22):e2089-e2099. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006574. Epub 2018 Oct 26.
PMID: 30366977BACKGROUNDDuchow A, Bellmann-Strobl J, Friede T, Aktas O, Angstwurm K, Ayzenberg I, Berthele A, Dawin E, Engels D, Fischer K, Flaskamp M, Giglhuber K, Grothe M, Havla J, Hummert MW, Jarius S, Kaste M, Kern P, Kleiter I, Klotz L, Korporal-Kuhnke M, Kraemer M, Krumbholz M, Kumpfel T, Lohmann L, Ringelstein M, Rommer P, Schindler P, Schubert C, Schwake C, Senel M, Then Bergh F, Tkachenko D, Tumani H, Trebst C, Vardakas I, Walter A, Warnke C, Weber MS, Wickel J, Wildemann B, Winkelmann A, Paul F, Stellmann JP, Haussler V; Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Time to Disability Milestones and Annualized Relapse Rates in NMOSD and MOGAD. Ann Neurol. 2024 Apr;95(4):720-732. doi: 10.1002/ana.26858. Epub 2024 Jan 13.
PMID: 38086777BACKGROUNDKleiter I, Gahlen A, Borisow N, Fischer K, Wernecke KD, Wegner B, Hellwig K, Pache F, Ruprecht K, Havla J, Krumbholz M, Kumpfel T, Aktas O, Hartung HP, Ringelstein M, Geis C, Kleinschnitz C, Berthele A, Hemmer B, Angstwurm K, Stellmann JP, Schuster S, Stangel M, Lauda F, Tumani H, Mayer C, Zeltner L, Ziemann U, Linker R, Schwab M, Marziniak M, Then Bergh F, Hofstadt-van Oy U, Neuhaus O, Winkelmann A, Marouf W, Faiss J, Wildemann B, Paul F, Jarius S, Trebst C; Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group. Neuromyelitis optica: Evaluation of 871 attacks and 1,153 treatment courses. Ann Neurol. 2016 Feb;79(2):206-16. doi: 10.1002/ana.24554. Epub 2015 Nov 26.
PMID: 26537743BACKGROUNDO'Connell K, Hamilton-Shield A, Woodhall M, Messina S, Mariano R, Waters P, Ramdas S, Leite MI, Palace J. Prevalence and incidence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD and MOG antibody-positive disease in Oxfordshire, UK. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020 Oct;91(10):1126-1128. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323158. Epub 2020 Jun 23. No abstract available.
PMID: 32576617BACKGROUNDBriggs FB, Shaia J. Prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in the United States. Mult Scler. 2024 Jan 27:13524585231224683. doi: 10.1177/13524585231224683. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 38279789BACKGROUNDKitley J, Leite MI, Nakashima I, Waters P, McNeillis B, Brown R, Takai Y, Takahashi T, Misu T, Elsone L, Woodhall M, George J, Boggild M, Vincent A, Jacob A, Fujihara K, Palace J. Prognostic factors and disease course in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder from the United Kingdom and Japan. Brain. 2012 Jun;135(Pt 6):1834-49. doi: 10.1093/brain/aws109. Epub 2012 May 9.
PMID: 22577216BACKGROUNDHaussler V, Trebst C, Engels D, Pellkofer H, Havla J, Duchow A, Schindler P, Schwake C, Pakeerathan T, Fischer K, Ringelstein M, Lindenblatt G, Hummert MW, Tkachenko D, Butow F, Giglhuber K, Flaskamp M, Schiffmann I, Korporal-Kuhnke M, Jarius S, Dawin E, Revie L, Senel M, Herfurth M, Walter A, Pompsch M, Kleiter I, Angstwurm K, Kaste M, Grothe M, Wickel J, Rommer PS, Sieb JP, Kramer M, Then Bergh F, Tumani H, Klotz L, Wildemann B, Aktas O, Ayzenberg I, Bellmann-Strobl J, Paul F, Kumpfel T, Friede T, Berthele A, Stellmann JP; Neuromyelitis optica study group (NEMOS). Real-world multicentre cohort study on choices and effectiveness of immunotherapies in NMOSD and MOGAD. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2025 May 14;96(6):582-592. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2024-334764.
PMID: 39730197BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Philippe-Antoine Bilodeau, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 4
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Principal investigator
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 21, 2025
First Posted
June 8, 2025
Study Start
May 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
January 1, 2030
Study Completion (Estimated)
May 1, 2030
Last Updated
March 16, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-03