title: Long-term clinical experience with weekly interferon beta-1a in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Post-marketing surveillance studies are needed to assess the long-term safety, compliance and clinical efficacy of interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The goals of this study were to (i) assess the safety, compliance and clinical efficacy of long-term intramuscular (i.m.) IFNbeta-1a therapy in a large cohort of patients, and (ii) suggest possible predictors of therapeutic response. A total of 255 patients were included in the study. Mean time on therapy was 31.7 +/- 19.3 months. Within 3 years, 31% of patients discontinued treatment, mainly for disease activity. No significant sustained blood analysis alteration was observed over time, apart from a decrease of cholesterol levels. After 3 years of treatment, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores increased by 0.4 points compared with baseline. The mean annual relapse rate was reduced compared with baseline. Patients with < or = 2 relapses in the previous 2 years and with baseline EDSS scores of < or = 2 had a longer estimated time to first relapse and to progression and first relapse, respectively. These results confirm the safety and suggest a sustained effectiveness of i.m. IFNbeta-1a, extending the reported follow-up period to 6.3 years, and hypothesize the presence of possible predictors of clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanzillo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orefice
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vivo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ascione
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schiavone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Michele
authors.forename: V Brescia
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Morra
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a