> Interferon-beta-1a helps treat MS
> October 23, 1997
> By Angela La Voie
> c. 1997 Medical Tribune
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>
> For patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the use of
> second-generation interferon-beta therapy appears to be effective in
> treating all major aspects of the condition without the side effects
> of existing treatment, international researchers reported.
>
> In a two-year study of 560 patients with multiple sclerosis,
> interferon-beta-1a significantly delayed the progression of
> disability, decreased the number and severity of exacerbations,
> increased the time between onset of relapses and increased the number
> of patients who remained relapse-free, compared with patients who
> received placebo, reported researchers led by George C. Ebers, M.D.,
> of the London Health Sciences Centre in Ontario.
>
> For example, patients who received 22 g of interferon-beta-1a
> subcutaneously three times a week for two years demonstrated a 29%
> reduction in the number of exacerbations, compared with those who
> received placebo.
>
> Similarly, patients treated with 44 g of interferon-beta-1a showed a
> 32% reduction in exacerbations compared with those who received
> placebo, Dr. Ebers announced recently at the annual meeting of the
> American Neurological Association in San Diego.
>
> In addition, while previous studies have found flu-like symptoms
> associated with interferon-beta-1b treatment and skin reactions at the
> injection site, the current study found only slight skin reactions at
> the injection site, he said.
>
> The findings included data from 22 centers in Europe, Canada and
> Australia. No human trials have been conducted yet in the United
> States involving interferon-beta-1a (Rebif, Serono), but the drug's
> developer is considering applying for Food and Drug Administration
> approval, the investigators said.
>
> A second study involving another interferon-beta-1a (Avonex, Biogen)
> compound yielded similar results.
>
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