Subcutaneous IFN-β1a to treat relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the main nontraumatic cause of handicap in young adults. Immunomodulators and treatments limiting lymphocyte migration have been proven efficient to treat relapsing–remitting MS. Subcutaneous IFN-β1a improve relapse rate and MRI parameters in a series of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in relapsing–remitting MS patients. Similar results, and with a greater extent, were obtained when treating patients with a first demyelinating event suggestive of MS. Except for the rare liver toxicity, the drug is well tolerated and has no severe adverse reaction. When compared with intramuscular IFN-β1a, both relapse rate and MRI parameters were modulated in favor of the subcutaneous administration. Although the effect of subcutaneous IFN-β1a on disability progression is limited, the good tolerance profile together with the efficiency of the drug explain why this treatment, as well as the other interferons and glatiramer acetate, is a first-line therapy for relapsing–remitting MS.

Keywords::

• disease-modifying treatment
• multiple sclerosis
• relapse
• subcutaneous IFN-β1a

Financial & competing interests disclosure

E Thouvenot has received honoraria or research grants from the following pharmaceutical companies: Bayer-Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, Novartis and Tevapharma. B Carlander has received honoraria or travel fundings from the following pharmaceutical companies: Bayer-Schering Pharma, Biogen-Idec, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi, Tevapharma, Actelion and Biopharma. W Camu has received honoraria or research grants from the following pharmaceutical companies: Actelion, Bayer-Schering Pharma, Biogen-Idec, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi and Tevapharma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.