NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Published Studies Related to Avonex (Interferon Beta-1A)
Randomized study of interferon beta-1a, low-dose azathioprine, and low-dose corticosteroids in multiple sclerosis. [2009.08]
BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating interferon beta (IFNbeta) for multiple sclerosis (MS) showed only partial efficacy. In many patients, IFNbeta does not halt relapses or disability progression. One strategy to potentially enhance efficacy is to combine IFNbeta with classical immunosuppressive agents, such as azathioprine (AZA) or corticosteroids, commonly used for other autoimmune disorders. OBJECTIVE: The Avonex-Steroids-Azathioprine study was placebo-controlled trial and evaluated efficacy of IFNbeta-1a alone and combined with low-dose AZA alone or low-dose AZA and low-dose corticosteroids as initial therapy... CONCLUSION: In IFNbeta-naive patients with early active RRMS, combination treatment did not show superiority over IFNbeta-1a monotherapy.
Efficacy of intramuscular interferon beta-1a in patients with clinically isolated syndrome: analysis of subgroups based on new risk criteria. [2009.06]
Approximately 85% of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases begin as clinically isolated syndromes (CIS). Results from the Controlled High-Risk Subjects Avonex((R)) Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study (CHAMPS) demonstrated that, in patients with CIS, treatment with intramuscular (IM) interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) 30 mug once weekly delayed conversion to clinically definite MS (CDMS) in the total population and in subgroups based on presenting syndromes and baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics...
NORdic trial of oral Methylprednisolone as add-on therapy to Interferon beta-1a for treatment of relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (NORMIMS study): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. [2009.06]
BACKGROUND: Treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with interferon beta is only partly effective, and new more effective and safe strategies are needed. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of oral methylprednisolone as an add-on therapy to subcutaneous interferon beta-1a to reduce the yearly relapse rate in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis... INTERPRETATION: Oral methylprednisolone given in pulses every 4 weeks as an add-on therapy to subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis leads to a significant reduction in relapse rate. However, because of the small number of patients and the high dropout rate, these findings need to be corroborated in larger cohorts.
Interferon beta-1a for the maintenance of remission in patients with Crohn's disease: results of a phase II dose-finding study. [2009.03.20]
BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) share common pathogenic processes. Interferon (IFN) beta-1a is effective and generally well tolerated in patients with MS and has been shown to down-regulate the expression of interleukin-12, a cytokine that is thought to be involved in mucosal degeneration in CD. IFN beta-1a therefore offers promise as a treatment for CD... CONCLUSION: There was no difference in efficacy between patients with CD receiving IFN beta-1a or placebo. However, these results should be considered in the context of the low patient numbers and high dropout rate. Overall, IFN beta-1a was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile that was consistent with previous experience in MS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00304252.
Liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells improvement of chronic hepatitis C patients by interferon-beta-1a with or without sustained viral response. [2009.03]
CONCLUSIONS: IFN-beta-1a therapy is effective for patients with chronic hepatitis C on liver histology regardless of viral response. The alpha-SMA-positive HSCs and collagen type III expression are responsible for liver fibrosis.
Clinical Trials Related to Avonex (Interferon Beta-1A)
Study to Determine if Avonex and Rebif Work Comparably Well in Subjects With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to find out if weekly Avonex works as well as three times a week
Rebif in subjects with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Avonex (Interferon-Beta-1a) and Avonex Plus Methylprednisolone for the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting MS [Active, not recruiting]
The primary objective of this study is to determine whether combination treatment (adding
methylprednisolone to Avonex) reduces progression of disability over 4 years compared to
Avonex alone. The study will also investigate whether combination therapy has any impact on
the incidence of relapse and brain atrophy as measured by MRI.
Rebif New Formulation (RNF) Quality of Life Study [Active, not recruiting]
To evaluate the impact on Quality of Life, tolerability, treatment satisfaction, and
injection site redness Rebif treated subjects with relapsing forms of MS who transition to a
new formulation of Rebif.
Transition to Rebif New Formulation [Active, not recruiting]
To assess patient satisfaction with respect to the incidence of flu-like symptoms in patients
with multiple sclerosis transitioned from current Rebif (subcutaneously injected interferon
beta-1a, 44mcg three-times-weekly) to the new formulation of Rebif while receiving ibuprofen
either prophylactically or only when necessary (PRN) after the occurance of flu-like
symptoms.
Does Quality of Life Improve in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated With Interferon Beta-1a? [Completed]
This study was to find out if patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis treated
with Interferon beta-1a had an improved quality of life after treatment with Interferon
beta-1a
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