Study of MS Drug Ocrevus Seeks Black and Hispanic Participants | MyMSTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyMSTeam
Powered By
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
NEWS

Study of MS Drug Ocrevus Seeks Black and Hispanic Participants

Medically reviewed by Evelyn O. Berman, M.D. — Written by Anika Brahmbhatt
Posted on December 10, 2021
View reactions

  • The CHIMES study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) on Black and Hispanic Americans living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • MS relapses are more severe in Black and Hispanic Americans, yet fewer than 1 percent of 60,000 studies about relapsing MS have focused on these groups.
  • Researchers are actively seeking participants for the study, which entails being treated with ocrelizumab for one year.

Black and Hispanic Americans with multiple sclerosis have long been underrepresented in multiple sclerosis clinical trials, despite having higher rates of disability, more severe symptoms, and worse self-rated health scores due to the disease.

Pharmaceutical company Genentech is breaking that trend through its CHIMES study, a late-stage clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of the drug ocrelizumab on Black and Hispanic Americans living with relapsing forms of MS. About 85 percent of people with MS are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, as opposed to progressive MS.

Sold as Ocrevus, ocrelizumab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 to treat MS.

Historically, Black and Hispanic Americans with MS have had limited opportunities to participate in clinical research as compared to white Americans. Out of almost 60,000 studies published about relapsing multiple sclerosis, fewer than 1 percent have related specifically to Black and Hispanic Americans.

Clinical trials like the CHIMES study can shape fields of knowledge and define what responses to different therapies are accepted as typical by health care providers. Ensuring broad representation of people from different backgrounds is important: Limiting medical studies to a single racial or ethnic group can lead to blind spots in the studies’ findings, which can have real-life implications in clinical practice. Understanding how to effectively treat someone’s MS symptoms has to start with understanding how MS affects different groups in unique ways.

With MS specifically, it’s particularly important to investigate the effects of different treatments on various populations. MS relapses are more severe in Black and Hispanic Americans. Previous research has found African ancestry to be a risk factor for faster MS disease progression and greater atrophy of the brain and spinal cord. Hispanic Americans with MS, in addition to having higher disability scores than their white counterparts, also have the highest rates of pain, depression, and anxiety of any racial group among those with MS.

Researchers for the CHIMES study are recruiting participants ages 18 to 65 who self-identify as Black or Hispanic American. All participants will receive an initial dose of ocrelizumab, as two separate infusions, via an IV. Additional doses will be given every 24 weeks for up to a total of two years.

Learn more about the study

Posted on December 10, 2021
View reactions
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Become a Subscriber

Get the latest news about multiple sclerosis sent to your inbox.

Evelyn O. Berman, M.D. is a neurology and pediatric specialist and treats disorders of the brain in children. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about her here.
Anika Brahmbhatt is an undergraduate student at Boston University, where she is pursuing a dual degree in media science and psychology. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...

Stress, Affording Treatment, and Quality of Life With MS: See Survey Results

In a recent survey, 81 percent of MyMSTeam members reported that multiple sclerosis (MS) negative...
This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...
Since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, Ashley Ratcliff has used her voice t...

2 Facts About MS I Wish People Knew

Since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, Ashley Ratcliff has used her voice t...
Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere — at school or work or while traveling. Dependin...

3 Benefits of MS Medical Alert Bracelets

Medical emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere — at school or work or while traveling. Dependin...
Menopause can cause many uncomfortable symptoms. People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may wonder a...

MS and Menopause: 7 Things You Should Know

Menopause can cause many uncomfortable symptoms. People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may wonder a...
If multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms are making it difficult for you to keep up with the demands o...

When To Quit Working With MS vs. Taking a Medical Leave

If multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms are making it difficult for you to keep up with the demands o...

Recent articles

If you are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), you have probably searched the internet for healt...

Reliable Health Websites: 6 Tips To Find Trustworthy MS Info Online

If you are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), you have probably searched the internet for healt...
Samantha Salvaggio Vanderman is a chronic illness coach, personal trainer, and behavior change s...

Overcome MS: 4 Tips for Choosing a Treatment

Samantha Salvaggio Vanderman is a chronic illness coach, personal trainer, and behavior change s...
If you’re having flares more often, or if they leave you feeling significantly worse than before,...

Should You Be on an Advanced MS Treatment? 5 Symptoms To Look For

If you’re having flares more often, or if they leave you feeling significantly worse than before,...
YogaVista.tv and MyMSTeam have partnered to bring you these mini-lessons or "yoga snacks."

Easy Movement Videos for People With MS

YogaVista.tv and MyMSTeam have partnered to bring you these mini-lessons or "yoga snacks."
Todd Cerveris, a long-distance cyclist and MyMSTeam member, shares what he’s learned on the bike ...

How One Person Goes the Distance To Keep Moving

Todd Cerveris, a long-distance cyclist and MyMSTeam member, shares what he’s learned on the bike ...
MS News
MS News

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close