Ocrelizumab Application in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy

Ocrelizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes, a cell population implicated in the inflammatory pathways of multiple sclerosis (MS). Administered by intravenous infusion at six-month intervals, its mechanism involves the selective depletion of CD20-expressing B cells, thereby reducing antigen presentation and proinflammatory cytokine release. Clinical development programmes have demonstrated that ocrelizumab significantly lowers annualised relapse rates and delays confirmed disability progression in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), while also offering the first approved disease-modifying therapy for primary progressive MS (PPMS). Long-term extension studies and real-world cohorts highlight sustained efficacy, manageable safety and high treatment persistence across diverse patient populations. The global adoption of ocrelizumab reflects its impact on modifying disease trajectory and addressing unmet needs in both relapsing and progressive forms of MS.

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Ocrelizumab Application in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ocrelizumab application in multiple sclerosis therapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ocrelizumab: A humanised anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody used to deplete B cells in multiple sclerosis.

CD20: A surface antigen expressed on B lymphocytes, targeted by ocrelizumab to reduce inflammatory activity.

B-cell depletion: The process of reducing circulating B lymphocytes to mitigate autoimmune processes.

Relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS): A form of MS characterised by episodic neurological dysfunction followed by periods of remission.

Primary progressive MS (PPMS): A subtype of MS marked by steady neurological decline without distinct relapses.

Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): A quantitative measure of disability in MS, ranging from 0 (normal) to 10 (death due to MS).

References

1. Effectiveness of Ocrelizumab in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: a Multicenter, Retrospective, Real-world Study (OPPORTUNITY). Neurotherapeutics (2023).
2. Recurrent late-onset neutropenia following treatment with different B cell-depleting strategies in multiple sclerosis. Med (2024).
3. Ocrelizumab exposure in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: 10-year analysis of the phase 2 randomized clinical trial and its extension. Journal of Neurology (2023).