Key Takeaways
- Briumvi is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody infusion approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults.
- Anti-CD20 therapies work by targeting a protein called CD20 found on the surface of B cells, a type of immune cell involved in MS disease activity.
- Reducing the number of active B cells can help lower inflammation and help reduce disease activity associated with relapsing MS.
- Briumvi is given as a 1-hour intravenous infusion, with maintenance doses scheduled every 24 weeks after the initial starting doses.
- Every patient's treatment goals and monitoring plan are different, so an ongoing relationship with a neurologist or prescribing provider is an important part of anti-CD20 therapy.
- Smart Infusion Therapy Services administers Briumvi and other anti-CD20 infusions in a comfortable, outpatient setting across its Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison and Onalaska, Wisconsin locations. Talk to your provider about a referral to get started.
What Is Briumvi and How Does It Work?
Briumvi (ublituximab) is a prescription infusion medication approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive MS in adults. Briumvi belongs to a class of medications called anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to target and reduce specific immune cells linked to MS disease activity.
What Are B Cells? What Is Their Role in MS?
For years, MS was primarily understood as a disease driven by T cells, another type of immune cell. More recent research has shown that B cells, immune cells that normally help the body fight infection, also play a significant role in MS. According to a review published in PMC, a National Institutes of Health database, B cells in people with MS can contribute to inflammation in several ways, including producing pro-inflammatory proteins and gathering in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
CD20 is a marker found on the surface of B cells at nearly every stage of their development. Because CD20 is so consistently present on B cells, it gives researchers a precise target for therapies designed to reduce B cell activity without broadly suppressing the entire immune system.
How Anti-CD20 Therapy Targets Disease Activity
Anti-CD20 therapies, including Briumvi, work by binding to the CD20 protein on B cells. This binding process signals the body to reduce the number of circulating CD20-positive B cells. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the exact way anti-CD20 therapies improve MS symptoms is not fully understood, but it is thought to relate to fewer pro-inflammatory B cells, reduced autoantibody production and less immune cell buildup around the brain and spinal cord.
By reducing this specific piece of the immune response, anti-CD20 infusions aim to lower the frequency of MS relapses and slow the appearance of new areas of inflammation that can show up on MRI scans.
Comparing Anti-CD20 and Other MS Infusion Options
Smart Infusion Therapy Services administers several infusion therapies used to manage relapsing forms of MS. Every treatment plan should be determined by a neurologist based on a patient's individual diagnosis and health history.
| Medication | Type | Typical Infusion Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Briumvi | Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody | 1 hour infusion, then every 24 weeks |
| Ocrevus | Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody | Two starting doses, then every 24 weeks |
| Ocrevus Zunovo | Anti-CD20 antibody, subcutaneous | Twice yearly, 10 minute injection |
| Tysabri | Alpha-4 integrin antagonist | Approximately every 4 weeks |
While Briumvi, Ocrevus and Ocrevus Zunovo all target CD20 positive B cells, they differ in dosing frequency and method of administration. A neurologist or prescribing provider can help determine which option, if any, fits a patient's diagnosis, lifestyle and treatment history. A full list of the infusion therapies Smart Infusion Therapy Services administers is available for patients who want to review other options with their care team.
How Can Briumvi Help With MS?
The primary goals of anti-CD20 therapy in relapsing MS are to reduce the frequency of relapses, limit new inflammatory activity and help patients maintain function over time. Many patients on anti-CD20 therapies experience fewer relapses compared to older treatment options, though individual results vary and no MS treatment guarantees a specific outcome. A neurologist can help set realistic expectations based on a patient's MS subtype, prior treatment history and overall health.
What Should You Expect During Therapy?
Patients beginning Briumvi or another anti-CD20 infusion typically need an order from their neurologist or prescribing provider before starting treatment. At Smart Infusion Therapy Services, patients receive their infusion in a private, comfortable room with amenities like WiFi, streaming access and snacks, an experience designed to feel more relaxed than a hospital infusion suite. After each infusion, Smart Infusion sends a detailed summary back to the referring provider so the patient's neurology team can monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Talk to Your Neurologist About Anti-CD20 Therapy
Understanding how Briumvi and other anti-CD20 therapies work can help patients feel more confident about their MS treatment plan. Smart Infusion Therapy Services provides a private, patient-focused setting for Briumvi and other neurology infusions across its Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison and Onalaska locations.
If your neurologist has recommended Briumvi or another infusion therapy for MS, talk to your provider about a referral to Smart Infusion Therapy Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Briumvi used for?
Briumvi is approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive MS.
How does Briumvi work in the body?
Briumvi is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. It binds to the CD20 protein on B cells, which reduces the number of these immune cells and may help lower the inflammation linked to MS relapses.
Which MS infusion therapy is best?
There is no single best infusion therapy for every MS patient. Briumvi, Ocrevus and other anti-CD20 options work in similar ways but differ in dosing schedule and administration. A neurologist reviews a patient's MS subtype, health history and lifestyle to recommend the most appropriate option.
How often is Briumvi given?
Briumvi is given as a 1-hour intravenous infusion. After the initial starting doses, maintenance infusions are typically scheduled every 24 weeks, as directed by a neurologist.
How can I find an infusion center near me for Briumvi?
Smart Infusion Therapy Services offers Briumvi and other neurology infusions at its Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison and Onalaska, Wisconsin locations. An order from a neurologist or prescribing provider is required to begin treatment.
