An exploratory study on interferon beta dose effect in reducing size of enhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis

Sixty-two patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were imaged monthly over a six-month (ie, seven monthly magnetic resonance images [MRI]) natural history period (NHP). Thereafter, patients were randomized to receive 11 or 33 mu g of subcutaneously injected interferon beta 1a (IFN beta-1a) with imaging monthly for nine months and at months 12, 18 and 24 of therapy phase (TP). In the present exploratory post hoc analysis, the authors evaluated IFN beta-1 a dose effect on reducing the size of contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs). MRIs performed at months 0, 3 and 6 of NHP and at months 3, 6, 9, 18 and 24 of TP were analysed. While a significant reduction in mean number of CELs was observed in both treatment groups of patients, the mean total volume and size of CELs was reduced only in patients undergoing therapy with 33 mu g of IFN beta-1a. The latter suggests a significant dose effect exerted by IFN beta-1 a in the evolution of CELs' dimensions during therapy.