Drug Insight: interferon treatment in multiple sclerosis.
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.
Marrie
Ruth Ann
RA
Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. marrier@ccf.org
Rudick
Richard A
RA
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
D000906:Antibodies; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007372:Interferons