Efgartigimod as a treatment for people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): a plain language summary of publication of the ADHERE trial

Summary: What is this summary about? This is a plain language summary of an article published in The Lancet Neurology in 2024. The article describes the results of the ADHERE clinical study, which involved people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, or CIDP for short. CIDP is a rare autoimmune disease that affects nerves in the arms and legs. There is a need for new treatment options for CIDP that reduce symptoms, are convenient to take, and have manageable side effects. What happened in this study? In this study, researchers looked at how well efgartigimod worked in people with CIDP and the side effects people had during the study. Stage A of the study aimed to find people who had signs of reduced symptoms and disability after receiving efgartigimod. People received weekly injections of efgartigimod under the skin (subcutaneous). Stage B compared efgartigimod with a placebo treatment to find out how well efgartigimod worked and the side effects that people had. What were the results? Overall, 66% of all participants in ADHERE showed signs of clinical improvement after receiving efgartigimod. Half of these people had first signs of clinical improvement in about 22 days. Compared to a placebo, people who received efgartigimod had a reduced risk of CIDP symptoms getting worse or returning (relapsing). More people who received efgartigimod were able to carry out their daily activities and maintained grip strength than those who took a placebo. Most side effects that people developed during the study were mild or moderate. What do the results mean? In this study, people who received efgartigimod had stable or improving symptoms for up to 48 weeks, while more people who received a placebo had worsening strength, disability, and quality of life. Subcutaneous injections of efgartigimod may offer a more convenient option for people with CIDP compared with current treatments.