title: Treatment of early-onset multiple sclerosis with intramuscular interferonbeta-1a: long-term results.
abstract: The objective was to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of intramuscular (IM) interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a; Avonex, Biogen) 30 mg once a week in patients with onset of symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in childhood or adolescence. Patients with a diagnosis of definite MS according to McDonald's criteria, relapsing course according to Lublin's criteria, onset of symptoms of MS before 16 years of age, and who had received IM IFNbeta-1a therapy before 16 years of age were eligible for the study if they had a pretreatment and treatment duration of at least 6 months. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed every 3 months. A total of 52 patients were identified as receiving treatment with IM IFNbeta-1a 30 mg once a week before 16 years of age. Mean age at onset of symptoms of MS was 11.7+/-2.7 years, mean disease duration was 25.9+/-30.3 months, mean annualised relapse rate was 1.9+/-1.1 and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 1.5+/-1.1. After a mean (+/-SD) treatment duration of 42.9+/-19.9 months, annualised relapse rate decreased to 0.4+/-0.5. Final EDSS score was 1.3+/-1.1. Adverse events were recorded for 35 (67%) patients (flulike syndrome, 33%; headache, 29%; myalgia, 21%; fever, 11%; fatigue, 6%; nausea and vomiting, 6%; and skin reaction, 4%); most were transient. IM IFNbeta-1a was effective and well tolerated in these paediatric patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Centro Studi Sclerosi Multipla, Ospedale di Gallarate, Via Pastori 4, I-20013, Gallarate, Italy. angelo.ghezzi@aogallarate.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marrosu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milanese
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moiola
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Milani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Mantia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzilli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trojano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaffaroni
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a