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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Peginterferon beta-1a reduces disability worsening in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: 2-year results from
Scott D Newsome1, Bernd C Kieseier2, Shifang Liu3
1Johns Hopkins Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Pathology 627, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Background:
In the pivotal phase III 2-year ADVANCE study, subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a 125 mcg every 2 weeks demonstrated significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including disability endpoints, in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Here, we aim to further evaluate disability data from ADVANCE, and explore associations between confirmed disability progression (CDP), functional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Methods:
In total, 1512 patients were randomized to placebo or peginterferon beta-1a 125 mcg every 2 or 4 weeks. After 1 year, patients on placebo were re-randomized to peginterferon beta-1a every 2 or 4 weeks. CDP was defined as ⩾1.0 point increase from a baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ⩾ 1.0, or ⩾1.5-point increase from baseline 0, confirmed 12 or 24 weeks after onset.
Results:
Peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks significantly reduced risk of 12- and 24-week CDP at 1 year compared with placebo (12-week CDP: 6.8% versus 10.5%, p = 0.038; 24-week CDP: 4% versus 8.4%, p = 0.0069, peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks versus placebo, respectively). Benefits were maintained over 2 years (11.2% and 7.7%, peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks in 12- and 24-week CDP, respectively). Approximately 90% of patients with 24-week CDP had simultaneous worsening by ⩾1 point in at least one functional system score, most commonly pyramidal. Displaying a 24-week CDP was associated with worse scores on the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) scale and several HRQoL instruments; the impact of CDP was attenuated by treatment with peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks.
Conclusions:
Peginterferon beta-1a has the potential to prevent/delay worsening of disability in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, improved benefits in disability status with peginterferon beta-1a were also associated with improved functional status and HRQoL [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00906399].
