title: [Multiple sclerosis in the year 2000: advances in the treatment with interferon beta-1b].
abstract: The decline of millennium brings forward new challenges in therapeutic immunomodulation of relapsing-remittent multiple sclerosis (RR MS). Interferon beta-1b (Betaferon) belongs to expanding family of soluble cytokines which are capable to modify beneficially cellular immunity in RR MS. IFN beta-1b is indicated for young or middle-aged, ambulant patients with RR MS who have frequent relapses, "aggressive" brain lesions in magnetic resonance imaging and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Betaferon reduced in people with RR MS mean annual rate and severity of relapses (34% and 49%) and lengthened median time to second relapse (to 295 days). IFN beta-1b also increased the number of relapse-free patients (31%). Although the drug diminishes weakly progression and activity (disability) it might improve slightly participation (handicap) and quality of life. The course of treatment, withdrawals from the trials, side-effects and the occurrence of neutralizing antibodies to IFN beta-1b are concisely described. Combination of IFN beta-1b with other immunotherapeutic drugs needs further clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Wojewódzkiej Przychodni Specjalistycznej dla Nauczycieli w Warszawie.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cendrowski
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006296:Health Services / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000082:Acetaminophen; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a