title: An open-label trial of combination therapy with interferon beta-1a and oral methotrexate in MS.
abstract: An open-label study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with weekly oral methotrexate (20 mg) and interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a) in 15 patients with MS who had experienced exacerbations while receiving IFN beta monotherapy. Nausea was the only major side effect. A 44% reduction in the number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions seen on MRI scan was observed during combination therapy (p = 0.02). There was a trend toward fewer exacerbations. This combination therapy appears to be safe and well tolerated, and should be studied in a controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21201, USA. pcala001@umaryland.edu
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Calabresi
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wilterdink
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rogg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Whartenby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D008727:Methotrexate