The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7218 p474
5 October 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Progressive MS can benefit from beta interferon treatment

Patients with primary and transitional progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), in addition to those with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease, could benefit from beta-interferon, Spanish researchers say.

They found a lower brain lesion load and fewer active lesions in the brains of patients with progressive MS who were treated with beta-interferon (Betaferon), compared with those taking placebo (P=0.005).

However, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of their disability score — 28 per cent of patients in the beta-interferon group and 38 per cent of those taking placebo had confirmed progression, measured using the expanded disability status scale (P=0.3).

The study involved 73 patients with primary or transitional progressive MS, who were randomised to receive 8 million IU beta-interferon or placebo subcutaneously every other day for two years.

Dr Xavier Montalban, lead researcher and chairman of the clinical neuroimmunology unit at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, said: "The encouraging data of this study suggest that [beta-interferon] may be a viable treatment for these patients, thus warranting further study in primary progressive MS."

The study, which was funded by Schering, was presented at a meeting of the European/American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, in Baltimore, last month.