28/1/2014

Every-other-day interferon beta-1b versus once-weekly interferon beta-1a for multiple sclerosis: results of a 2-year prospective randomised multicentre

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The Lancet, Volume 359, Issue 9316, Pages 1453 - 1460, 27 April 2002

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08430-1 Copyright 2002 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Every-other-day interferon beta-1b versus once-weekly interferon beta-1a for multiple sclerosis: results of a 2-year prospective randomised multicentre study (INCOMIN)
Prof Luca Durelli MD a , Elisabetta Verdun MD a, Pierangelo Barbero MD a, Mauro Bergui MD a, Elisabetta Versino MD a, Angelo Ghezzi MD b, Enrico Montanari MD c , Mauro Zaffaroni MD b Members listed at end of paper

Summary
Background The three interferon beta preparations approved for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) differ in dose and frequency of administration. Interferon beta-1a 30 g is administered once a week, interferon beta-1a 22 g or 44 g is given three times a week, and interferon beta-1b 250 g is administered on alternate days. No clinical study directly comparing the different regimens has been published. The INCOMIN study was designed to compare the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) benefits of on-alternate-day interferon beta-1b 250 g with once-weekly interferon beta-1a 30 g. Methods INCOMIN was a 2-year, prospective, randomised, multicentre study. 188 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were assigned to interferon beta-1b (n=96) or interferon beta-1a (n=92). Primary outcome measures were the proportion of patients free from relapses and that of patients free from new proton density/T2 lesions at MRI assessment. Several secondary outcome measures were also assessed. Analysis was by intention to treat. Findings Over 2 years, 49 (51%) individuals administered interferon beta-1b remained relapse-free compared with 33 (36%) given interferon beta-1a (relative risk of relapse 076; 95% Cl 05909; p=003); and 42 (55%) compared with 19 (26%), respectively, remained free from new T2 lesions at MRI (relative risk of new T2 lesion 06; 04508; p0<0003). In both groups, the differences between the two treatments increased during the second year. There were also significant differences in favour of interferon beta-1b in most of the secondary outcome measures, including delay of confirmed disease progression. Interpretation High-dose interferon beta-1b administered every other day is more effective than interferon beta-1a given once a week.

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http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(02)08430-1/abstract?version=printerFriendly

28/1/2014

Every-other-day interferon beta-1b versus once-weekly interferon beta-1a for multiple sclerosis: results of a 2-year prospective randomised multicentre

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a Universita' di Torino, Torino, Italy b Azienda Ospedaliera S Antonio Abate, Gallarate, Italy c Ospedale Civile, Fidenza, Italy Correspondence to: Prof Luca Durelli, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Universita' di Torino, 110126 Torino, Italy

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http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(02)08430-1/abstract?version=printerFriendly

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