Acta Neurol Scand 2003 Jan;107(1):7-11
Fernandez O, Arbizu T, Izquierdo G, Martinez-Yelamos A, Gata JM, Luque
G, De Ramon E.
Department of Neurology, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya,
Malaga, Spain; Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge,
Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Virgen
Macarena, Sevilla, Spain.
Objective-
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of IFNbeta-1a (Avonex(R), Biogen, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods-
In this multicenter, open-label, prospective clinical trial, 96 patients with relapsing-remitting MS received IFNbeta-1a 30 mcg intramuscularly once weekly for 2 years. Outcome variables included: change from baseline in mean number of exacerbations, proportion of exacerbation-free patients, and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores at Years 1 and 2.
Results-
IFNbeta-1a significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced exacerbation rate at Years 1 and 2 of treatment. The percentage of exacerbation-free patients was 53% during Year 1 and 33% during Year 2. Mean EDSS scores were 2.96 +/- 1.26 at baseline, 2.89 +/- 1.42 at Year 1, and 3.00 +/- 1.62 at Year 2 (P = 0.116). EDSS scores improved in 35.4%, remained stable in 28.1%, and worsened in 36.5% of patients. IFNbeta-1a treatment was well tolerated.
Conclusion-
This study confirms and extends the beneficial clinical profile for IFNbeta-1a in relapsing MS.