title: Drug Insight: interferon treatment in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the CNS. Between 1987 and 1997, clinical trials of three preparations of recombinant interferon-beta were conducted in patients with MS, ushering in a new therapeutic era. These medications have demonstrable benefits and seem to be safe; they represent an important advance in MS treatment. All three formulations of interferon-beta had modest effects on relapses and short-term progression of disability, but the effects on MRI lesion parameters were more substantial. The benefits were greater in clinically isolated syndromes and relapsing-remitting MS than in secondary progressive MS. Although these drugs have been shown to be effective, however, their long-term impact on clinically relevant disability progression is uncertain, and there are many areas of controversy in the MS field regarding the use of these products. There is still a need for more effective treatments, which might include new agents or combination therapies.
authors.affiliation: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. marrier@ccf.org
authors.forename: Ruth Ann
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Marrie
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rudick
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000188:drug therapy; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007372:Interferons