Nusinersen

(Spinraza®)

Nusinersen

Drug updated on 9/4/2024

Dosage FormInjection (intrathecal; 12 mg/5 mL)
Drug ClassSurvival motor neuron-2 (SMN2)-directed antisense oligonucleotides
Ongoing and
Completed Studies
ClinicalTrials.gov

Indication

  • Indicated for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in pediatric and adult patients.

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Summary
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  • Spinraza (nusinersen) is indicated for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in pediatric and adult patients.
  • This summary is based on the review of 10 systematic review(s)/meta-analysis(es). [1-10]
  • Motor Function Improvement: Nusinersen significantly improved motor function in multiple scales, including HFMSE (WMD: 4.90; 95% CI: 3.17, 6.63), RULM (WMD: 3.70; 95% CI: 3.30, 4.10), and HINE-2 (WMD: 5.21; 95% CI: 4.83, 5.60). Risdiplam showed lesser improvement in HFMSE (WMD: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.05, 1.68).
  • Other Functional Scales: Nusinersen significantly improved motor milestone response (RD: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.62) and HINE-2 score (RD: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.40). Risdiplam showed improvement in the MFM32 scale (WMD: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.58, 2.38).
  • Patient Survival and Respiratory Support: Nusinersen increased survival without permanent respiratory support in SMA type 1 and improved motor function across SMA types 1-3. Early treatment in presymptomatic children led to near-normal motor development.
  • Comparison of Effectiveness with Other Drugs: Risdiplam may offer better survival and motor function in Type 1 SMA compared to nusinersen, though comparisons for types 2/3 were challenging due to differences in study populations. Other drugs (e.g., creatine, gabapentin) showed no clinically important effects on motor function in SMA types II and III.
  • Overall Adverse Events (AEs): Nusinersen-related adverse events were reported in 0.57% (95% CI: 0%-3.97%) as definite and 7.76% (95% CI: 1.85%-17.22%) as probable. The overall adverse event rate was 83.51% (95% CI: 73.55%-93.46%), with serious adverse events occurring in 33.04% (95% CI: 18.15%-49.91%).
  • Specific Adverse Events: The most common adverse events associated with nusinersen were fever (40.07%), upper respiratory tract infection (39.94%), and pneumonia (26.62%).
  • Comparison with Placebo: There was a significant difference in overall adverse event rates favoring nusinersen (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.95, p = 0.042), with a lower incidence of serious and fatal adverse events compared to placebo.
  • Nusinersen shows significant motor function improvement across various age groups and SMA types, with better outcomes in younger children and those with a shorter disease duration. Adults older than 12 years with 5q-SMA also experience statistically significant improvements in HFMSE and RULM scores.

Product Monograph / Prescribing Information

Document TitleYearSource
Spinraza (nusinersen) Prescribing Information.2023Biogen, Cambridge, MA

Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses

Document TitleYearSource
Safety and efficacy of nusinersen and risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2023Brain Sciences
Adverse events in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in children and adolescents with nusinersen: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2022Frontiers in Pediatrics
Mid- and long-term (at least 12 months) follow-up of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treated with nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec, risdiplam or combination therapies: a systematic review of real-world study data2022European Journal of Paediatric Neurology
The safety and efficacy of nusinersen in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2022Medicina
Nusinersen in adults with 5q spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2022Neurotherapeutics
How does risdiplam compare with other treatments for types 1-3 spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic literature review and indirect treatment comparison.2022Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Motor function in type 2 and 3 SMA patients treated with nusinersen: a critical review and meta-analysis.2021Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
Nusinersen treatment of spinal muscular atrophy - a systematic review.2020Danish Medical Journal
Drug treatment for spinal muscular atrophy types II and III.2020The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Drug treatment for spinal muscular atrophy type I.2019The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Clinical Practice Guidelines