Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
06:15
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
Alemtuzumab vs. interferon beta-1a in early multiple sclerosis
The New England Journal of Medicine
|October 24, 2008
Summary
Alemtuzumab significantly reduced disability accumulation and relapse rates in early multiple sclerosis compared to interferon beta-1a. However, it increased risks of autoimmunity, including immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Alemtuzumab targets CD52 on lymphocytes and monocytes.
- It is being investigated as a treatment for early multiple sclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab compared to interferon beta-1a in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Phase 2, randomized, blinded trial with 334 patients.
- Patients received subcutaneous interferon beta-1a or intravenous alemtuzumab (12 mg or 24 mg).
- Treatment duration was 36 months, with alemtuzumab therapy suspended in 2005 due to adverse events.
Main Results:
- Alemtuzumab significantly reduced disability accumulation (9.0% vs 26.2%) and relapse rates (0.10 vs 0.36) versus interferon beta-1a.
- MRI showed reduced lesion burden and increased brain volume with alemtuzumab.
- Adverse events included higher rates of thyroid disorders (23% vs 3%) and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (3% vs 1%) with alemtuzumab.
Conclusions:
- Alemtuzumab demonstrated superior efficacy over interferon beta-1a in early multiple sclerosis.
- Autoimmunity, particularly immune thrombocytopenic purpura, was a significant adverse event associated with alemtuzumab.
- The study was not powered to detect rare adverse events.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...