Efficacy Of Interferon Beta-1a Research Articles

Interferon Beta-1a Improves Urinary Symptoms, Reduces Proviral Load, and Modifies the Immune Response in a Patient with HAM/TSP

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the known causative agent of a chronic neurologic condition known as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Although several therapies have been evaluated for HAM/TSP, none have been approved for use in humans. In this paper, we describe a 55-year-old female patient with HAM/TSP who was treated with interferon beta-1a. This patient, in comparison to 20 female patients with HAM/TSP who were not treated, showed improvement in urinary symptoms over four years of therapy, as well as a reduction in HTLV-1 proviral load and serum cytokine levels typically observed in HAM/TSP. This improved outcome merits further controlled studies on the use and efficacy of interferon beta-1a as a therapy for HAM/TSP.

Optimizing Immunomodulatory Therapy with Interferon Beta in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may change immunomodulatory therapies if efficacy is considered inadequate or if adverse drug reactions occur. Identifying potential candidates for therapy adjustment is an important aspect of treatment optimization. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a), 44 μg subcutaneously (SC) three times weekly, in patients with relapsing MS following a change from another long-term therapy and to identify potential candidates for therapy adjustment. Patients were followed for 12 months. Candidates for therapy adjustment were identified using a three-scale model of treatment efficacy (relapses, disability progression, and magnetic resonance imaging). For 76.4% of patients, insufficient efficacy of the previous therapy was the main reason for changing to IFNβ-1a 44 μg. At baseline, 70.6% of patients fulfilled the criteria for recommendation for therapy adjustment; after 12 months on IFNβ-1a 44 μg, this percentage decreased to 16.6%. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) decreased between week 4 (40.6% of patients) and month 12 (12.8%). Influenza-like symptoms were the most common AE, occurring in 28.3% of patients. This study supports IFNβ-1a, 44 μg SC three times weekly, as a therapeutic option for patients in need of therapy adjustment.

Results of the Avonex Combination Trial (ACT) in relapsing-remitting MS

To assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) combined with methotrexate (MTX), i.v. methylprednisolone (IVMP), or both in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with continued disease activity on IFNbeta-1a monotherapy. Eligibility criteria included RRMS, Expanded Disability Status Scale score 0-5.5, and > or = 1 relapse or gadolinium-enhancing MRI lesion in the prior year on IFNbeta-1a monotherapy. Participants continued weekly IFNbeta-1a 30 microg i.m. and were randomized in a 2 x 2 factorial design to adjunctive weekly placebo or MTX 20 mg p.o., with or without bimonthly IVMP 1,000 mg/day for 3 days. The primary endpoint was new or enlarged T2 lesion number at month 12 vs baseline. The study was industry-supported, collaboratively designed, and governed by an investigator Steering Committee with independent Advisory and Data Safety Monitoring committees. Study operations, MRI analyses, and aggregated data were managed by an academic coordinating center. The 313 participants had clinical and MRI characteristics typical of RRMS. Combinations of IFNbeta-1a with MTX or IVMP were generally safe and well tolerated. Although trends suggesting modest benefit were seen for some outcomes for IVMP, the results did not demonstrate significant benefit for either adjunctive therapy. The data suggested IVMP reduced anti-IFNbeta neutralizing antibody titers. This trial did not demonstrate benefit of adding low-dose oral methotrexate or every other month IV methylprednisolone to interferon beta-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Interferon beta treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a post-marketing study in Lombardia, Italy. Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Lombardia, Italy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of interferon beta-1a (IFN-beta-1a) and beta-1b (IFN-beta-1b) in clinical practice for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS). Patients were selected and prospectively monitored according to a predefined protocol. An appropriate form was prepared to collect clinical data of multiple sclerosis patients attending the MS Centers of Lombardia, Italy. On 30 June 1998, 317 patients were treated with IFN-beta-1b and 156 with IFN-beta-1a. Basal expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and relapse frequency were similar in both groups of patients. The annual relapse rate consistently decreased from 1.76 to 0.63 at 1 year and to 0.51 at 2 years for the IFN-beta-1b group and from 1.6 to 1.0 at 1 year for the IFN-beta-1a group. Disability remained stable in most patients. Dropouts (20.5%) were affected by more active disease compared to patients who continued to be treated. This study confirms the efficacy of both treatments, showing a more marked effect than expected from the clinical trials' results, probably due to differences in selection criteria and exclusion of dropouts.