More MS news articles for Nov 2001

Interferon-<beta> dose and efficacy: the OPTIMS study

http://link.springer.de/link/service/journals/10072/bibs/1022002/10220201.htm

Neurological Sciences
Abstract Volume 22 Issue 2 (2001) pp 201-203
L. Durelli, A. Oggero, E. Verdun, P. Barbero, A. Pipieri, G. Isoardo, A. Ricci, M. Clerico, G. Bradac, B. Bergamasco, M. Bergui
Neurological Clinic and Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, I-10126 Turin, Italy

Abstract.

Interferon beta (IFN-<beta>) reduces exacerbation rates in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), but some patients do not respond to treatment.

Recent studies have shown a clear dose-response effect on the reduction of exacerbation rates, and on burden of disease accumulation and active lesion frequency seen on MRI.

During treatment with 8 MIU IFN-<beta> we noticed a 30% rate of treatment failure.

We then treated non-responders with 12 MIU IFN-<beta> and observed significant improvement in the clinical signs of disease activity.

In order to compare the efficacy of two different doses of IFN-<beta>-1b, a multicenter study for the optimization of interferon for MS (OPTIMS) has been organized.

The design of the study is presented here.