Interferon Beta-1a in Children with Multiple Sclerosis is Well Tolerated

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease rare in children. Currently marketed disease modifying therapies are limited to adults. Objective: To determine the tolerability of interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1 a) 30 mcg injected intramuscularly once a week in children with clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Design/Methods: A standardized questionnaire was sent to neurologists in the United States to determine the tolerability of IFNB-1 a in patients younger than 16 years. Results: Tolerability data were available for 9 of 33 children who were reported to initiate IFNB-1 a. Mean age on initiating treatment was 12.7 years (range 8 - 15) and mean duration of therapy was 17 months (range 5 - 36). No patient discontinued therapy due to an adverse event. Conclusions: Preliminary data indicate that weekly intramuscular injections of IFNB-1 a are well tolerated.

Key words

Multiple sclerosis - Interferon beta - Children

References

• 1 Adams A B, Tyor W R, Holden K R. Interferon beta-1 b and childhood multiple sclerosis.  Pediatric Neurology. 1999;  21 481-483
• 2 Dale R C, de Sousa C, Chong W K, Cox T C, Harding B, Neville B G. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis in children.  Brain. 2000;  123 2407-2422
• 3 Duquette P, Murray T J, Pleines J. et al . Multiple sclerosis in childhood: clinical profile in 125 patients.  J Pediatrics. 1987;  111 359-363
• 4 Jacobs L D, Cookfair D L, Rudick R A. et al . Intramuscular interferon beta-1a for disease progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis.  Ann Neurol. 1996;  39 285-294
• 5 Johnson K P, Brooks B R, Cohen J A. et al . Copolymer 1 reduces relapse rate and improves disability in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: results of a phase III multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.  Neurology. 1995;  45 1268-1276
• 6 Lublin F D, Reingold S C. Defining the clinical course of multiple sclerosis: results of an international survey.  Neurology. 1996;  46 907-911
• 7 Minden S L, Marder W D, Harrold L N, Dor A. Multiple sclerosis: a statistical portrait. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. New York, NY; Abt Associates Inc. 1993
• 8 Poser C M, Paty D W, Scheinberg L. et al . New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines for research protocols.  Ann Neurology. 1983;  13 227-231
• 9 Sokal E M, Conjeevaram H S, Roberts E A. et al . Interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B in children: a multinational randomized controlled trial.  Gastroenterology. 1998;  114 988-995
• 10 The Multiple Sclerosis Study Group I FNB. Interferon beta-1 b is effective in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. I. Clinical results of a multicenter randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.  Neurology. 1993;  43 655-661