Interferon-beta1b for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that causes disability in young adults.


OBJECTIVE
To review the efficacy and safety of IFN-beta1b in the management of relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple scleroses and clinical isolated syndrome.


METHODS
A MEDLINE (1966-May 2007) search of clinical trials using the terms 'multiple sclerosis' and 'interferon' was performed. Manual bibliographic search was conducted. English-language articles were evaluated.


RESULTS
IFN-beta1b is more efficacious than placebo and at least as efficacious as IFN-beta1a or glatiramer for the management of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. IFN-beta1b also delayed the time to diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis and reduced brain lesion burden in patients with clinical isolated syndrome. More long-term, large scale clinical data are warranted to ascertain its relative efficacy compared to other treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN-beta1b is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis. Common side effects are lymphopenia, injection site reactions, asthenia, flu-like symptoms and headache.
Lam
Sum
S
St. John's University, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, St. Albert's Hall Room 114, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, New York, NY 11439, USA. Lams1@stjohns.edu
Wang
Shan
S
Gottesman
Malcolm
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a