Relationship between disease activity and dose-response relationships with beta interferon therapies in the treatment...

Beta-interferon (IFNbeta) therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis has proven efficacious in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Numerous studies have demonstrated a decrease in relapse rates, decreases in new gadolinium enhanced lesions, slowed accumulation of disability, and decreases in the accumulation of lesion burden on T2 weighted MRI scans. There has been a heterogeneity of responsiveness to IFNbetas in individual patients. Responsiveness to IFNbeta therapy is discussed in view of pre-existing disease activity. Disease activity can be objectively measured using the frequency and volume of new gadolinium enhancing lesions. Disability may be dependent upon lesion location, frequency, and by the intensity of inflammation within lesions. The presence of a dose-response relationship with IFNbeta therapy in MS is supported by available data. Evidence is reviewed supporting the argument that responsiveness to IFNbeta therapy depends, in part, on pre-existing disease activity.