title: Benefits of high-dose, high-frequency interferon beta-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis are sustained to 16 months: final comparative results of the EVIDENCE trial.
abstract: The EVIDENCE trial demonstrated that interferon (IFN) beta-1a, 44 mcg subcutaneously (sc) three times weekly (tiw) (Rebif), was significantly more effective than IFN beta-1a, 30 mcg intramuscularly (im) once weekly (qw) (Avonex), in reducing relapses and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis at both 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. We now present final comparative data on these patients, showing that the superior efficacy of IFN beta-1a, 44mcg sc tiw, for relapse measures and MRI activity, compared with IFN beta-1a, 30mcg im qw, was sustained for at least 16 months. The development of antibodies to IFN was associated with reduced efficacy on MRI measures and fewer IFN-related adverse events, but did not have an impact on relapse outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, Neurology Health Care Service, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. hillel.panitch@vtmednet.org
authors.forename: Hillel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Panitch
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goodin
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coyle
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weinshenker
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D007391:International Cooperation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013995:Time; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000906:Antibodies; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a