[The treatment of multiple sclerosis with beta-interferon 1a].
OBJECTIVE
Preliminary studies (phase III) have shown that treatment with beta-interferon 1a (avonex) is effective in diverse aspects of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The present study discusses results of an opened prolonged (phase IV) trial at the Baylor/Methodist International Multiple Sclerosis Center using 6 MIU by intramuscular injection once a week.


METHODS
Clinical measurements: EDSS and Patient's Subjective Self-Evaluation (PSSE) and magnetic resonance (MR) were utilized every three months in 300 patients studied between 1996-1999. Patients with RRMS (71.8%) and secondarily progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) (28.2%) were included.


RESULTS
Global clinical improvement parameter integration was 22.7% and clinical stabilization 39.4%. MR did not show quantitative alterations for either group. Sixteen patients abandoned treatment and 16 (5.3%) had relapses correlated by MR activity; 34.9% remained stable by EDSS and magnetic resonance findings but deteriorated subjectively by PSSE (62% has SPMS).


CONCLUSIONS
This phase IV study indicates that prolonged treatment of RRMS and SPMS with avonex maintains a positive effect in 62.1% of patients.
Rivera
V M
VM
Dpto. de Neurología, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. vrivera@bcm.tmc.edu
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta