Inpharma 1657 - 27 Sep 2008 Further findings for interferon- beta-1a in RRMS Two studies presented at the World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis have revealed new findings regarding the efficacy of interferon-beta-1a in the treatment of relapsing- remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). 1,2 Up the dose, reduce impairment For the first time, a dose-dependent effect with interferon-beta-1a on cognition has been demonstrated for RRMS, according to the researchers who conducted the COGIMUS * study. 1 459 patients aged 18–50 years with RRMS were randomised to receive treatment with either 22µg (n = 223) or 44µg doses of SC interferon-beta-1a three time weekly; 3-year follow-up data were available for 331 patients (162 patients treated with 22µg) and there were cognitive function data for 318 patients. Patients were assessed on Rao’s battery of neuropsychological tests. The risk of developing cognitive impairment in at least three tests was significantly lower in patients who received the 44µg doses of inteferon-beta-1a, compared with those who received the 22mµg doses, at 3 years (15.2% vs 24.8%). New formulation passes test A new formulation of interferon beta-1a free from serum-derived products has been developed with the hope that it will be better tolerated while maintaining efficacy. Results from the first double-blind, placebo- controlled trial of the new formulation in RRMS are encouraging. 2 The multicentre phase IIIb trial randomised patients with the disease in a 2:1 distribution to receive the new formulation of SC intreferon-beta-1a 44µg three times weekly (n = 120) or placebo (60), for 16 weeks. The mean number of combined unique active brain lesions at week 16 was significantly lower in the interferon-beta-1a group than the placebo group (0.9 vs 3.0). * COGnition Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis 1. Patti F, et al. Effects of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on disease parameters and cognition in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: longitudinal clinical and cognitive results from the COGIMUS (COGnition Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis) study. World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis : abstr. P85, 17 Sep 2008. Available from: URL: http://www.msmontreal.org. 2. De Stefano N. Efficacy of a new formulation of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results at 16 weeks from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis : abstr. P900, 17 Sep 2008. Available from: URL: http://www.msmontreal.org. 801099882 1 Inpharma 27 Sep 2008 No. 1657 1173-8324/10/1657-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved

Further findings for interferon-beta-1a in RRMS

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Inpharma 1657 - 27 Sep 2008

Further findings for interferon-beta-1a in RRMS

Two studies presented at the World Congress onTreatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis haverevealed new findings regarding the efficacy ofinterferon-beta-1a in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).1,2

Up the dose, reduce impairmentFor the first time, a dose-dependent effect with

interferon-beta-1a on cognition has been demonstratedfor RRMS, according to the researchers who conductedthe COGIMUS* study.1

459 patients aged 18–50 years with RRMS wererandomised to receive treatment with either 22µg(n = 223) or 44µg doses of SC interferon-beta-1a threetime weekly; 3-year follow-up data were available for331 patients (162 patients treated with 22µg) and therewere cognitive function data for 318 patients.

Patients were assessed on Rao’s battery ofneuropsychological tests. The risk of developingcognitive impairment in at least three tests wassignificantly lower in patients who received the 44µgdoses of inteferon-beta-1a, compared with those whoreceived the 22mµg doses, at 3 years (15.2% vs 24.8%).

New formulation passes testA new formulation of interferon beta-1a free from

serum-derived products has been developed with thehope that it will be better tolerated while maintainingefficacy. Results from the first double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the new formulation in RRMS areencouraging.2

The multicentre phase IIIb trial randomised patientswith the disease in a 2:1 distribution to receive the newformulation of SC intreferon-beta-1a 44µg three timesweekly (n = 120) or placebo (60), for 16 weeks.

The mean number of combined unique active brainlesions at week 16 was significantly lower in theinterferon-beta-1a group than the placebo group(0.9 vs 3.0).* COGnition Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis

1. Patti F, et al. Effects of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on disease parametersand cognition in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis:longitudinal clinical and cognitive results from the COGIMUS (COGnitionImpairment in MUltiple Sclerosis) study. World Congress on Treatment andResearch in Multiple Sclerosis : abstr. P85, 17 Sep 2008. Available from: URL:http://www.msmontreal.org.

2. De Stefano N. Efficacy of a new formulation of subcutaneous interferon beta-1ain patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results at 16 weeks from adouble-blind, placebo-controlled study. World Congress on Treatment andResearch in Multiple Sclerosis : abstr. P900, 17 Sep 2008. Available from:URL: http://www.msmontreal.org.

801099882