Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
11:31
Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Effect of early interferon treatment on conversion to definite multiple sclerosis: a randomised study
1Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale S Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy. g.comi@hsr.it
Lancet (London, England)
|May 30, 2001
Summary
Interferon beta-1a treatment significantly reduced relapses and disease progression in early multiple sclerosis patients. This therapy improved both clinical outcomes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, offering a promising early intervention strategy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) activity is reduced by interferon beta.
- Early-stage MS patients are at high risk for conversion to clinically definite MS.
- Interferon beta-1a's effect on relapse occurrence in high-risk patients was assessed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of interferon beta-1a in preventing relapses and disease progression in patients with a first neurological event suggestive of MS.
- To assess the impact of early interferon beta-1a treatment on clinical and MRI outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- 22 mcg of interferon beta-1a or placebo administered subcutaneously once weekly for 2 years.
- Clinical assessments every 6 months; brain MRI every 12 months.
Main Results:
- Fewer patients receiving interferon beta-1a converted to clinically definite MS (34% vs. 45%, p=0.047).
- Time to 30% conversion to definite MS was longer with interferon beta-1a (569 vs. 252 days, p=0.034).
- Significantly lower annual relapse rates (0.33 vs. 0.43, p=0.045) and reduced MRI lesion burden were observed.
Conclusions:
- Early-stage interferon beta-1a treatment demonstrates significant benefits in managing multiple sclerosis.
- The treatment positively impacts both clinical disease activity and MRI-detected lesions.
- Interferon beta-1a is an effective early intervention for patients at high risk of MS conversion.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Randomized Experiments
The randomization process involves assigning study participants randomly to experimental or control groups based on their probability of being equally assigned. Randomization is meant to eliminate selection bias and balance known and unknown confounding factors so that the control group is similar to the treatment group as much as possible. A computer program and a random number generator can be used to assign participants to groups in a way that minimizes bias.
Simple randomization
Simple...
Simple randomization
Simple...
01:19Factors Affecting Drug Biotransformation: Biological
Biological factors significantly impact drug metabolism, influencing drug clearance, efficacy, and potential toxicity.
Species differences: Variations in enzyme systems across species can cause disparities in drug metabolism. For instance, humans may metabolize certain drugs faster than rodents, altering therapeutic effects.
Strain differences: Genetic variations within a species can result in differing enzyme activity, impacting drug response and toxicity. For example, some mouse strains may...
Species differences: Variations in enzyme systems across species can cause disparities in drug metabolism. For instance, humans may metabolize certain drugs faster than rodents, altering therapeutic effects.
Strain differences: Genetic variations within a species can result in differing enzyme activity, impacting drug response and toxicity. For example, some mouse strains may...
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...