Title: Does interferon beta help in secondary progressive MS?
Abstract: Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with a relapsing-remitting (RR) course but eventually exhibit gradual worsening with progressive disability, secondary progressive MS (SP-MS).1 Three pivotal trials of interferon beta (IFNβ) in SP-MS have been published: the European Study Group on Interferon Beta-1b in Secondary Progressive MS (Eu IFNβ-1b),2 the Secondary Progressive Efficacy Clinical Trial of Recombinant Interferon-Beta-1a in MS (SPECTRIMS),3 and the International MS Secondary Progressive Avonex Controlled Trial (IMPACT) of IFNβ-1a.4 A fourth trial, the North American Study Group on Interferon Beta-1b in Secondary Progressive MS (NA IFNβ-1b),5 is reported in this issue of Neurology . A companion paper presents a pooled analysis of the Eu and NA IFNβ-1b studies.6
All four trials demonstrated benefit on relapses and MRI lesion activity. The magnitude of benefit on these endpoints was comparable with that seen in trials of RR-MS. However, the results on disability progression differed among the SP-MS trials. In the Eu IFNβ-1b study, IFNβ treatment slowed worsening on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), whereas the NA IFNβ-1b, SPECTRIMS, and IMPACT studies showed no benefit on this endpoint. Modest benefit on disability progression was shown in IMPACT using the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite7 as the primary outcome measure.
The Eu and NA IFNβ-1b studies provide a unique opportunity to dissect …
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-11-23
Language: en
Type: letter
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 20
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot