Interferon ß-1b Treatment by Cyclical Administration
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The therapy with Interferon-ß-1b reduces the inflammatory component of multiple sclerosis
with positive effects on the disease course. The 8 MUI dose at alternate days is kept
constant for years. About 1/3 of patients suspend treatment by three years due to side
effects or suspected or accepted ineffectiveness. The main objective of the study is to
verify the safety and effectiveness of a cyclical administration (a month of suspension after
two of treatment) from the beginning of treatment. There is the possibility that a scheme
envisaging therapy free intervals can reduce the onset of negative feedbacks (antagonising
the drug therapeutic effect) compared to the standard administration protocol. This might
also result in an increase of the drug effectiveness and/or in a longer duration of
effectiveness itself. Finally, cyclical administration allows patients to spend actual
periods of "therapeutic vacation", with positive psychological effects.