Re: I2001: nterferon Treatment for TBE (TBE ALS sequelae treatment!!!!!!!!)

1: Neurology. 2000 Jan 25;54(2):469-74. Related Articles, Links


A randomized controlled trial of recombinant interferon beta-1a in ALS.
Italian Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Study Group.

Beghi E, Chio A, Inghilleri M, Mazzini L, Micheli A, Mora G, Poloni M,
Riva R, Serlenga L, Testa D, Tonali P.

Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant interferon beta
(IFNbeta)-1a in the treatment of ALS. BACKGROUND: It has been proposed
that IFNs affect the progression of ALS by interfering with putative
immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. METHODS:
Patients (n = 61) 40 to 70 years of age with a 6- to 24-month history
of confirmed ALS with mild to moderate disability received IFNbeta-1a,
12 mIU (n = 31), or placebo (n = 30) subcutaneously three times a week
for 6 months and were followed up for an additional 6 months. Patients
were assessed after 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Medical Research
Council scale, Norris scale, and bulbar scores as well as forced vital
capacity were used to assess disability. Selected electrophysiologic
measures (latency, amplitude, and duration of the compound muscle
action potential) were also used. RESULTS: Twenty patients randomized
to IFNbeta-1a and 17 patients given placebo completed the study. A
total of 16 patients receiving IFNbeta-1a became non-self-supporting
compared with 16 on placebo (52% versus 53%). There were no significant
differences between the two treatment groups for any of the measures of
disease progression and disability. Deaths were reported in six
patients treated with IFNbeta-1a and four patients on placebo. Adverse
events were reported more frequently with IFNbeta-1a (77% of patients)
compared with placebo (57%), with flu-like symptoms and local erythema
being the commonest complaints. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests
that IFNbeta-1a is not effective in the treatment of ALS.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Multicenter Study
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 10668716 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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