HOT off the CMSC Press: Rebif at first sign of MS delays progression
Starting interferon-beta-1a (Rebif New Formulation) immediately upon an episode of a clinically isolated syndrome delayed progression to full-blown multiple sclerosis, but once-weekly treatment was less effective than the standard dosing interval, a researcher said here.
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial called REFLEX showed that 62% and 76% of patients assigned to 44 mcg of interferon subcutaneously three times or once weekly, respectively, met 2005 McDonald criteria for MS after two years – the study’s primary endpoint – compared with 86% of patients treated with placebo, said Mark Freedman, MD, of the University of Ottawa.
The differences between the two interferon dosing schedules, and between the interferon schedules and placebo, were all statistically significant (P<0.01), he told attendees at the annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC).
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