Fenebrutinib and the Future Role of BTK Inhibitors in MS Treatment

In this episode, Fenebrutinib and the Future Role of BTK Inhibitors in MS Treatment, Aimee Banks, PharmD, BCPS, MSCS, and the rest of the panel explore topline phase 3 results for fenebrutinib and how BTK inhibitors may be integrated into MS treatment algorithms if approved by the FDA.

Fenebrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) under investigation for multiple sclerosis (MS), represents a promising addition to the evolving therapeutic landscape. Pharmacists play a critical role in interpreting the topline results from phase 3 studies, providing insights on safety, efficacy, and practical considerations for patient management. Early data suggest that fenebrutinib effectively reduces disease activity, with a favorable safety profile, offering the potential to address unmet needs in both relapsing and progressive forms of MS. Pharmacists are particularly focused on understanding adverse event profiles, drug-drug interactions, and monitoring requirements, which are essential for optimizing therapy and supporting patient adherence in real-world practice.

As BTK inhibitors advance toward regulatory approval, their integration into MS treatment algorithms is a key consideration. Experts anticipate that BTKis may complement existing disease-modifying therapies, particularly for patients with ongoing progression despite conventional relapse-focused treatments. They could serve as options earlier in the treatment continuum for high-risk patients or as targeted therapies for those with smoldering or progressive disease. By combining mechanistic insights with clinical trial outcomes, pharmacists and care teams will be positioned to guide individualized treatment decisions, ensuring that BTKis are used safely and effectively to slow disability accumulation and improve long-term outcomes for people living with MS.

Led by the moderator, the neurology pharmacists examine the following critical questions:

Another BTKi under investigation is fenebrutinib. What is the pharmacists’ point of view on the topline phase 3 results and how they may impact clinical practice?

Where do you anticipate BTKi’s falling into treatment algorithms if FDA-approved?

Throughout the conversation, the experts provide a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape how clinicians approach care moving forward.

The next episode in this series, Emerging Mechanisms and the Future of Multiple Sclerosis Treatment, features the panelists advancing their conversation on multiple sclerosis and focusing on novel therapeutic mechanisms beyond BTK inhibitors and how these innovations may reshape the MS treatment landscape over the next five years.