Interferon beta-1a in children with multiple sclerosis is well tolerated.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease rare in children. Currently marketed disease modifying therapies are limited to adults.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the tolerability of interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1 a) 30 mcg injected intramuscularly once a week in children with clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).


METHODS
A standardized questionnaire was sent to neurologists in the United States to determine the tolerability of IFNB-1 a in patients younger than 16 years.


RESULTS
Tolerability data were available for 9 of 33 children who were reported to initiate IFNB-1 a. Mean age on initiating treatment was 12.7 years (range 8 - 15) and mean duration of therapy was 17 months (range 5 - 36). No patient discontinued therapy due to an adverse event.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary data indicate that weekly intramuscular injections of IFNB-1 a are well tolerated.
Waubant
E
E
UCSF/Mt Zion Multiple Sclerosis Center, San Francisco, CA, USA. emmanuelle.waubant@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Hietpas
J
J
Stewart
T
T
Dyme
Z
Z
Herbert
J
J
Lacy
J
J
Miller
C
C
Rensel
M
M
Schwid
S
S
Goodkin
D
D
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a