The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7227 p799
7 December 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
Neurology article (more)

Relative benefits of two interferon products remain uncertain

Research comparing two interferon beta-1a products, each administered in a regimen recommended by its manufacturer, has found that 44mg of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a three times weekly (Rebif) is more effective than 30mg administered intramuscularly once weekly (Avonex) in preventing relapse in multiple sclerosis. The randomised, multicentre trial, published in Neurology last week (2002;59:1496–506), involved 677 interferon naive patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) receiving either product for 24 weeks. Over the first 24 weeks, 75 per cent of patients receiving Rebif remained relapse free, compared with 63 per cent of patients receiving Avonex (odds ratio1.9; 95 per cent confidence interval 1.3 to 2.6; P=0.0005). Also, fewer active brain lesions per MRI scan were found in patients treated with Rebif than in those treated with Avonex (P=0.0001).

These results could have had important implications for the recommendation and selection of disease modifying therapies in the management of RRMS. However, the trial has been criticised by Dr Karl Kieburtz, department of neurology, University of Rochester Medical Centre, New York, who points out major methodological shortcomings (ibid p1482–3).

Furthermore, another trial comparing two doses of interferon, both administered intramuscularly (ibid p1507–17), found that 60mg once weekly is no more effective than 30mg.