title: Effect of peginterferon beta-1a on MRI measures and achieving no evidence of disease activity: results from a randomized controlled trial in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a provided clinical benefits at Year 1 (placebo-controlled period) of the 2-Year Phase 3 ADVANCE study in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Here we report the effect of peginterferon beta-1a on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, and no evidence of disease activity (NEDA; absence of clinical [relapses and 12-week confirmed disability progression] and MRI [gadolinium-enhancing, and new or newly-enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions] disease activity) during Year 1.
  
  
  METHODS
  RRMS patients (18-65 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤5) were randomized to double-blind placebo or peginterferon beta-1a 125 μg every 2 or 4 weeks. Sensitivity analyses of last observation carried forward and composite disease activity (using minimal MRI allowance definitions) were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1512 patients were randomized and dosed (placebo n = 500; peginterferon beta-1a every 2 [n = 512] or 4 [n = 500] weeks). Every 2 week dosing significantly reduced, versus placebo and every 4 week dosing, the number of new or newly-enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions at Weeks 24 (by 61% and 51%, respectively) and 48 (secondary endpoint; by 67% and 54%, respectively); all p < 0.0001. Every 2 week dosing also provided significant reductions versus placebo and every 4 week dosing in the number of new T1 hypointense, gadolinium-enhancing, and new active (gadolinium-enhancing plus non-enhancing new T2) lesions (all p < 0.0001), as well as the volume of T2 and T1 lesions (p < 0.05) at Weeks 24 and 48. Significantly more patients dosed every 2 weeks had NEDA versus placebo and every 4 weeks (all p < 0.01) from baseline to Week 48 (33.9% versus 15.1% and 21.5%, respectively [odds ratios, ORs: 2.89 and 1.87]), from baseline to Week 24 (41.0% versus 21.9% and 30.7%, [ORs: 2.47 and 1.57]) and from Week 24 to Week 48 (60.2% versus 28.9% and 36.6%, [ORs: 3.71 and 2.62]). Consistent results were seen when allowing for minimal MRI activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During Year 1 of ADVANCE, significantly more RRMS patients receiving peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks had NEDA, and early and sustained improvements in all MRI endpoints, versus placebo and every 4 week dosing. NEDA sensitivity analyses align with switch strategies in clinical practice settings and provide insight into future responders/non-responders.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00906399.
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Calabresi
authors.forename: Bernd C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Kieseier
authors.forename: Sarah I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deykin
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Shifang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Bjoern
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sperling
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D016899:Interferon-beta; D005682:Gadolinium; C428112:peginterferon beta-1a