Retrospective evaluation of interferon-beta treatment in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
BACKGROUND
Few effective treatment methods are available for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE),an infection associated with the measles virus. Interferons have shown some benefit in previous studies and clinical practice.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 2 different regimens of interferon-beta(IFN-beta) in the treatment of SSPE in pediatric patients.


METHODS
We retrospectively compared the results obtained with 2 regimens of IFN-beta1a: 60 microg administered intramuscularly once weekly (IFN-beta 1/wk), or 22 microg administered subcutaneously 3 times per week (IFN-beta 3/wk). All patients also received oral inosiplex 50 to 100 mg/kg daily, a treatment known to have partial efficacy in SSPE. Patients who continued treatment for at least 3 months and had at least 1 year of follow-up data were evaluated. Clinical parameters included the Neurological Disability Index (NDI), a measurement of mental, motor, and sensory functions; disease stage; and mental status. Data obtained at 6 and 12 months were compared with those at the time of diagnosis, and the percent change from baseline was calculated. A satisfactory clinical response was defined as reduction or stabilization of the NDI or stage improvement at 6 or 12 months.


RESULTS
Patients treated with IFN-beta 3/wk had increased survival time (P < 0.02) and higher clinical response rates compared with those treated with IFN-beta 1/wk (P < 0.05). When stage 2 and stage 3 patients were evaluated separately, survival was significantly longer (P = 0.007) and the rate of progression slower in both stage groups with IFN-beta 3/wk.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained for this patient sample suggest that IFN-beta administered subcutaneously times per week combined with inosiplex may be an effective treatment option in SSPE. This treatment regimen warrants further study.
Anlar
Banu
B
Hacettepe University, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey. banlar@hacettepe.edu.tr
Aydin
Omer Faruk
OF
Guven
Alev
A
Sonmez
Fatma Mujgan
FM
Kose
Gulsen
G
Herguner
Ozlem
O
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007542:Inosine Pranobex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D007542:Inosine Pranobex; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a