title: Boosting endogenous neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis: the ASsociation of Inosine and Interferon beta in relapsing- remitting Multiple Sclerosis (ASIIMS) trial.
abstract: Anti-inflammatory drugs are effective on relapses, but neuroprotective agents to prevent disability are still unavailable. Uric acid has neuroprotective effects in experimental models including encephalomyelitis and appears to be involved in multiple sclerosis. Oral administration of inosine, a precursor of uric acid, increases serum uric acid levels and is well tolerated. Our objective was to test the possibility that a combination therapy associating an anti-inflammatory drug (interferon beta) and an endogenous neuroprotective molecule (uric acid) would be more effective than interferon beta alone on the accumulation of disability. Patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on interferon beta for at least 6 months were randomized to interferon beta + inosine or interferon beta + placebo for 2 years. The dose of inosine was adjusted to maintain serum uric acid levels in the range of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (<or=10 mg/dl). The primary end points were percentage of patients with progression of disability and time to sustained progression (Kaplan-Meier analysis). The combination of interferon beta and inosine was safe and well tolerated but did not provide any additional benefit on accumulation of disability compared with interferon beta alone. We conclude that endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms recently identified in multiple sclerosis are complex and uric acid does not reflect the entire story.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, Vanheylenstraat 16, Melsbroek, Belgium. r.gonsette@skynet.be
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gonsette
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sindic
authors.forename: Marie B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: D'hooghe
authors.forename: Peter-Paul
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: De Deyn
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medaer
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michotte
authors.forename: Pierrette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seeldrayers
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guillaume
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001530:Belgium; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007288:Inosine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D014527:Uric Acid; D007288:Inosine; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a