News RRMS Study Using MRI Reveals Benefits of Experimental Therapy in Achieving No Evidence of Disease Activity RRMS Study Using MRI Reveals Benefits of Experimental Therapy in Achieving No Evidence of Disease Activity by Patricia Silva, PhD | January 6, 2015 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Results from aĀ Phase 3 clinical trial entitled “AVANCE” revealed promising clinical outcomes in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated forĀ one year with peg interferon beta-1a. The analysis wasĀ published in the journal BMC Neurology, in a study entitled āEffect of peg interferon beta-1a on MRI measures and achieving no evidence of disease activity: results from a randomized controlled trial in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.ā Subcutaneous (SC) peginterferon beta-1a, a pegylated form of interferon (IFN) beta-1a that has recently been found to be an effective treatment for patients with RRMS, with evidence showing that interferons can produce about an 18ā38% reduction in the rate of MS relapses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for monitoring MS disease activity and progression and has been found to work as a measure of treatment effects in patients with RRMS. Previous studies have shown that no evidence of disease activity (NEDA; absence of clinical [defined as no relapses and no onset of 12-week confirmed disability progression] and MRI [no gadolinium-enhancing lesions and no new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions] disease activity) is now achievable in many patients with RRMS. [adrotate group=”4″] In the ADVANCE study, a Phase 3 randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial involving 183 sites in 26 countries, researchers explored the feasibility of peginterferon beta-1a as new treatment for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In the study, 1512 patients were randomized to double-blind placebo or peg interferon beta-1a 125 Āµg every 2 or 4 weeks. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using minimal MRI allowance definitions.Ā RRMS patients were randomized to double-blind placebo or peginterferon beta-1a 125 Āµg every 2 or 4 weeks. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using minimal MRI allowance definitions. Results from the first year showed that peginterferon beta-1a (125 Āµg SC) administered every 2 or 4 weeks significantly improved clinical endpoints, and risk of relapse and 12-week confirmed disability progression. Several MRI-related endpoints versus placebo were examined, with a safety profile reflecting established IFN beta-1a therapies. Additionally, every 2-week dosing showed greater reductions relative to placebo versus every 4 week dosing across relapse and all MRI endpoints. Based on the MRI analyses, NEDA and efficacy for single clinical endpoints, the researchers concluded that SC peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks is an effective treatment option for patients with RRMS. Print This Page About the Author Patricia Silva, PhD PatrĆcia holds a PhD in medical microbiology and infectious diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal. Her work in academia was mainly focused on molecular biology and the genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites. PatrĆcia earned several travel awards to present her work at international scientific meetings. She is a published author of several peer-reviewed science articles. Tags magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, RRMS
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