Systemic alpha-interferon in multiple sclerosis. Long-term patient follow-up
H. S. Panitch
Twelve patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis who had participated in a
clinical trial of systemic (subcutaneous) natural alpha-interferon were
interviewed and reexamined 4.3 years after beginning interferon treatment
and 2.3 years after completion of the study. There was a progressive
reduction in exacerbation rate from 1.33 per year to 0.47 per year. Overall
neurologic function and disability did not change significantly. Six
patients stabilized or improved, and were able to carry on normal daily
activities. There were no long-term deleterious side effects. These results
are similar to those described for patients treated with intrathecal
beta-interferon. The mechanism of the prolonged beneficial effect is
unknown, but is unlikely to represent antiviral activity in the central
nervous system, and more probably involves systemic immunoregulatory
functions. The systemic route of administration of interferon may be as
effective as the intrathecal route in multiple sclerosis, and is
potentially less hazardous.