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[Effect of weekly intramuscular interferon beta-1a on MRI lesions in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis]
E Waubant1, R Sloan, P B Andersson
1UCSF/Mt Zion Multiple Sclerosis Center, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
Abstract:
We compared the number of new gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) and T2-weighted (T2W) lesions on 6-monthly MRI scans before and after initiating weekly intramuscular injections of interferon beta-1a (Avonex) 30 mcg. The mean number of new focal Gd+ lesions detected during the 6 monthly on-treatment scanning sessions was 58 per cent less per MRI scan and 62.5 per cent less per patient than during the 6 monthly pre-treatment scanning sessions (p = 0.016, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The results are similar for new focal Gd+ and T2W lesions. The reduction in disease activity detected by monthly Gd+ enhanced MRI scans after initiating weekly intramuscular interferon beta-1a 30 mcg is consistent with benefits observed with thrice weekly subcutaneous interferon beta-1a 10 and 30 mcg and alternate day subcutaneous interferon beta-1b 8.0 MIU.
Insights
Weekly intramuscular interferon beta-1a (Avonex) significantly reduced new MRI lesions in patients. This treatment demonstrated comparable efficacy to other interferon beta formulations for managing disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Disease activity in MS can be monitored using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect new gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) and T2-weighted (T2W) lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of weekly intramuscular interferon beta-1a (Avonex) 30 mcg in reducing new MRI lesions.
- To compare disease activity before and after treatment initiation.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study analyzing 6-monthly MRI scans (Gd+ and T2W lesions) before and after initiating treatment.
- Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare lesion counts.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in the mean number of new focal Gd+ lesions per MRI scan (58%) and per patient (62.5%) was observed after treatment initiation (p = 0.016).
- Similar reductions were noted for both Gd+ and T2W lesions, indicating decreased inflammatory activity.
Conclusions:
- Weekly intramuscular interferon beta-1a (Avonex) 30 mcg effectively reduces new MRI-detected disease activity in MS patients.
- The findings are consistent with the known benefits of other interferon beta formulations in MS treatment.