Interferon β for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• The efficacy of recombinant beta interferons (IFNβ) in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) remains uncertain.
• Investigating the potential of IFNβ to mitigate disability and cognitive decline in SPMS is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of IFNβ in reducing disability progression in SPMS patients.
• To assess the impact of IFNβ on cognitive impairment progression in SPMS.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to Cochrane methodology was conducted.
• Included randomized placebo-controlled trials of IFNβ in SPMS patients from 1995 to March 2012.
• Data from 5 trials involving 3082 patients were analyzed.

Main Results:

• After three years, IFNβ did not significantly reduce disability progression (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.16).
• A statistically significant, though small, reduction in relapse risk was observed during the first three years (RR 0.91, 0.84 to 0.97).
• Cognitive data analysis was not feasible; however, adverse events led to more dropouts in the IFNβ group compared to placebo.

Conclusions:

• Three-year treatment with IFNβ does not delay permanent disability progression in SPMS.
• IFNβ treatment demonstrates an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing relapse risk.
• The findings suggest that IFNβ's anti-inflammatory capacity is insufficient to halt MS progression once established.