Once-weekly 22microg subcutaneous IFN-beta-1a in secondary progressive MS: a 3-year follow-up study on brain MRI measurements and serum MMP-9 levels.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of weekly injected subcutaneous interferon (IFN)-beta-1a 22 microg on the extent of brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the level of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).


METHODS
All the 28 Finnish patients participating in the Nordic multicentre trial on the clinical efficacy of weekly IFN-beta-1a (Rebif) 22 microg in SPMS were studied neurologically and by volumetric MRI during a 3-year follow-up. The levels of MMP-9 in serum were measured over the 3-year study.


RESULTS
There was no obvious effect on the number of contrast medium-enhancing lesions, the volume of T1 or T2 lesions or level of serum MMP-9, nor was any effect detected on the relapse rate and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Brain atrophy progression was not affected by the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of effect on MRI, clinical outcomes or the levels of MMP-9 indicates that subcutaneous administration of low-dose low-frequency IFN-beta-1a is insufficient in controlling either the inflammatory constitutes or the neurodegenerative changes of advanced SPMS.
Wu
X
X
Neuroimmunology Unit, Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. xingchen.wu@neurotec.ki.se
Kuusisto
H
H
Dastidar
P
P
Huhtala
H
H
Nikkari
S T
ST
Ukkonen
M
M
Höyhtyä
M
M
Elovaara
I
I
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a