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Every-other-day interferon beta-1b versus once-weekly interferon beta-1a for multiple sclerosis: results of a 2-year

Luca Durelli1, Elisabetta Verdun, Pierangelo Barbero

  • 1Universita' di Torino, Torino, Italy

Lancet (London, England)
|May 4, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High-dose interferon beta-1b administered every other day demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing relapses and new MRI lesions compared to weekly interferon beta-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients over two years.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment involves several interferon beta (IFN-β) preparations with varying administration schedules.
  • Approved IFN-β therapies include IFN-β-1a (30 mcg weekly or 22/44 mcg thrice weekly) and IFN-β-1b (250 mcg on alternate days).
  • Direct comparative clinical studies of these different regimens were previously lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) benefits of two distinct interferon beta regimens.
  • The study specifically evaluated on-alternate-day interferon beta-1b (250 mcg) against once-weekly interferon beta-1a (30 mcg).

Main Methods:

  • A 2-year, prospective, randomized, multicenter study (INCOMIN) was conducted.
  • 188 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were randomized to receive either interferon beta-1b (n=96) or interferon beta-1a (n=92).
  • Primary outcomes included the proportion of patients relapse-free and free from new MRI lesions (proton density/T2); intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

Main Results:

  • Over 2 years, 51% of interferon beta-1b recipients remained relapse-free versus 36% on interferon beta-1a (p=0.03).
  • Significantly more patients on interferon beta-1b were free from new T2 lesions on MRI (55% vs. 26%, p<0.0003).
  • Interferon beta-1b also showed advantages in secondary outcomes, including delayed confirmed disease progression.

Conclusions:

  • High-dose interferon beta-1b administered every other day is more effective than interferon beta-1a given once weekly for managing relapsing-remitting MS.
  • The observed differences favoring interferon beta-1b became more pronounced during the second year of treatment.

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