Treatment of early-onset multiple sclerosis with intramuscular interferonβ-1a:: long-term results

The objective was to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of intramuscular (IM) interferon beta-la (IFN alpha-1a; Avortex, Biogen) 30 mg once a week in patients with onset of symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in childhood or adolescence. Patients with a diagnosis of definite MS according to McDonald's criteria, relapsing course according to Lublin's criteria, onset of symptoms of NIS before 16 years of age, and who had received IM IFNP-la therapy before 16 years of age were eligible for the study if they had a pretreatment and treatment duration of at least 6 months. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed every 3 months. A total of 52 patients were identified as receiving treatment with IM IFNP-la 30 mg once a week before 16 years of age. Mean age at onset of symptoms of MS was 11.7 +/- 2.7 years, mean disease duration was 25.9 +/- 30.3 months, mean annualised relapse rate was 1.9 +/- 1.1 and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 1.5 +/- 1.1. After a mean (SD) treatment duration of 42.9 +/- 19.9 months, annualised relapse rate decreased to 0.4 +/- 0.5. Final EDSS score was 1.3 +/- 1.1. Adverse events were recorded for 35 (67%) patients (flu-like syndrome, 33%; headache, 29%; myalgia, 21%; fever, 11%; fatigue, 6%; nausea and vomiting, 6%; and skin reaction, 4%); most were transient. IM IFNP-la was effective and well tolerated in these paediatric patients with MS.