What the trial was testing
The CONNECT enrolled 156 patients with multiple sclerosis. The study was sponsored by Biogen and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Children taking dimethyl fumarate had 54% fewer relapses compared to those on interferon beta-1a.
JAMA network open · 2022 · NCT02283853
These findings — that children on dimethyl fumarate had about half as many MS relapses over two years — were published in the JAMA network open and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 156 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with multiple sclerosis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) is FDA-approved for pediatric multiple sclerosis in patients 10 years and older. This large study showed it worked better than an older treatment at preventing relapses and new brain lesions in children and teens. Talk with your child's neurologist about whether this medication is right for them.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open multiple sclerosis trials
Clinical and Instrumental Treatment's Predictors in Subjects With Neurological Diseases Using G-EO Robotic System
The aim of this work is to elaborate a statistical model to predict the effectiveness of robotic treatment in subjects with neurological diseases. The model will be used to understand which subjects are most responsive to this type of treatment
Genes and Environment in Multiple Sclerosis
The purpose of the research study is to identify the genetic, environmental and immune profiles that may increase a person's risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). While MS is not a disease caused by a single variation in genetic material (DNA), a single environmental factor, or a single malfunction in immune cells, there are genetic alterations, environmental exposures and immunologic factors that make the development of MS more likely. Obtaining information about who is at risk for MS will be beneficial in the future if the investigators can identify effective ways to prevent or slow down the progression of this disease.