title: A randomized controlled trial of recombinant interferon beta-1a in ALS. Italian Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Study Group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant interferon beta (IFNbeta)-1a in the treatment of ALS.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  It has been proposed that IFNs affect the progression of ALS by interfering with putative immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 61) 40 to 70 years of age with a 6- to 24-month history of confirmed ALS with mild to moderate disability received IFNbeta-1a, 12 mIU (n = 31), or placebo (n = 30) subcutaneously three times a week for 6 months and were followed up for an additional 6 months. Patients were assessed after 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Medical Research Council scale, Norris scale, and bulbar scores as well as forced vital capacity were used to assess disability. Selected electrophysiologic measures (latency, amplitude, and duration of the compound muscle action potential) were also used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty patients randomized to IFNbeta-1a and 17 patients given placebo completed the study. A total of 16 patients receiving IFNbeta-1a became non-self-supporting compared with 16 on placebo (52% versus 53%). There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups for any of the measures of disease progression and disability. Deaths were reported in six patients treated with IFNbeta-1a and four patients on placebo. Adverse events were reported more frequently with IFNbeta-1a (77% of patients) compared with placebo (57%), with flu-like symptoms and local erythema being the commonest complaints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that IFNbeta-1a is not effective in the treatment of ALS.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beghi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiò
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inghilleri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazzini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micheli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poloni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serlenga
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tonali
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins