title: Effect of dose and frequency of interferon beta-1a administration on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging parameters in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: There is still debate over the optimal dosage, frequency and route of administration of interferon (IFN) beta in multiple sclerosis (MS). A prospective, non-randomized, comparative study was performed to evaluate differences in magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcomes of two IFN beta-1a preparations (30mcg intramuscular [im] once-weekly [qw], AVO; and 22 mcg subcutaneous [sc] three-times-weekly [tiw]; R22). Relapsing-remitting MS patients on one of the two IFN preparations (AVO, n=47; R22, n=48) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of further treatment. There were no significant differences between the two groups at baseline. Both groups showed significantly reduced relapse rates (F=19.5; p<0.001) from baseline (0.6) to 6-month assessment (0.2; p<0.001). Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in favour of R22 on T2 lesion volume (F=14.4; p<0.001) and T1 black hole lesion load (F=8.5; p=0.004), the latter showing a significant increase in the AVO group (p<0.001). The incidence of patients with new T1 black holes was also higher for AVO than R22 (23.5% vs 8.3%; p=0.025). These results from patients receiving AVO or R22 in normal clinical practice are in line with randomized clinical studies that show the benefits of high-dose, high-frequency administration of IFN beta-1a in MS therapy.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Binaghi Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular and Neurological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cocco
authors.forename: Piernicola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Floris
authors.forename: Maria Giuseppina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mascia
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deriu
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirca
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mamusa
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mura
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mallarini
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marrosu
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a