title: [Interferon-β1b in multiple sclerosis therapy: more than 20 years clinical experience].
abstract: The introduction of interferon-β1b in 1993 in the USA and 2 years later in Europe made it possible for the first time to alter the course of the disease in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Subsequently, interferon-β1b was approved for the treatment of patients with active secondary progressive MS (1999) and early relapsing-remitting MS following a first demyelinating event (clinically isolated syndrome, CIS) (2006). Here we provide an overview of the clinical experience gathered during more than 20 years of interferon-β use focusing on long-term efficacy and safety and the impact of early initiation of treatment. Furthermore, the following aspects will be discussed: putative mechanisms of action of interferon-β, indications for a disease-modifying therapy, clinical relevance of neutralizing antibodies, importance of adherence in MS therapy, high versus low frequency therapy, combination therapies with interferon-β and safety of interferon-β in children and adolescents with MS and during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik im UKD, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Deutschland. hans-peter.hartung@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meergans
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tracik
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ortler
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta