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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Effects of interferon beta-1a and -1b over time: 6-year results of an observational head-to-head study
F Patti1, A Pappalardo, C Florio
1Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy. patti@unict.it
Objective:
To evaluate and compare the long-term efficacy and safety of two different beta-interferon preparations (IFN-beta-1a vs IFN-beta-1b).
Materials And Methods:
Two parallel outpatient groups with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to Poser criteria, were treated with either intramuscular IFN-beta-1a 30 microg (group A, n = 62) or subcutaneous IFN-beta-1b 250 microg (group B, n = 64).
Results:
A statistically significant reduction was seen in the relapse rate (P < 0.0001) in both groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.43). After 6 years of therapy, the mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 3.22 +/- 1.47 (delta 1.03 +/- 1.35) in group A and 3.34 +/- 1.47 (delta 0.97 +/- 1.47) in group B (P = 0.47).
Conclusions:
Our study results suggest that the efficacy of IFN-beta-1a 30 microg once weekly and SC IFN-beta-1b 250 microg every other day is similar. Both IFN-beta-1a and IFN-beta-1b are effective in slowing disability progression.
