Interferon β-1b and glatiramer acetate effects on permanent black hole evolution
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare interferon β-1b (IFNβ-1b) and glatiramer acetate (GA) on new lesion (NL) (gadolinium-enhancing, new T2) evolution into permanent black holes (PBH)--a marker of irreversible tissue damage--in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
METHODS: BEYOND was a large, phase III, clinical trial comparing IFNβ-1b 250 μg, IFNβ-1b 500 μg, and GA (2:2:1). Patient scans were reexamined post hoc for PBH in a rater-blinded manner. Two predefined coprimary endpoints compared IFNβ-1b 250 μg with GA: first, number of PBH per patient at year 2 evolving from year 1 NL, then proportion of year 1 NL evolving into PBH at year 2. IFNβ-1b 500 μg and GA were compared in an exploratory fashion.
RESULTS: Approximately 90% (1,957/2,244) of patients had NL at year 1 with follow-up at year 2. Mean numbers of PBH per patient at year 2 evolving from year 1 NL were lower for IFNβ-1b 250 μg than GA (0.30 vs 0.43; p = 0.0451). The proportion of NL evolving into PBH was similar (IFNβ-1b 250 μg vs GA: 21.6% vs 23.5%; p > 0.20). For IFNβ-1b 500 μg, both the mean PBH number per patient at year 2 evolving from year 1 NL (0.26 vs 0.43; p = 0.0037) and proportion of NL evolving into PBH (16.3% vs 23.5%; p = 0.0409) were lower relative to GA.
CONCLUSION: IFNβ-1b affected PBH development to a similar or better extent than GA. IFNβ-1b favorably influences an MRI outcome indicative of permanent tissue destruction in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis.
CLASSIFICATION OF…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Survey on Knowledge Graphs: Representation, Acquisition, and Applications
- Toxicity of nanomaterials
- The Human Gene Mutation Database: towards a comprehensive repository of inherited mutation data for medical research, genetic diagnosis and next-generation sequencing studies
- Halogen bonding (X‐bonding): A biological perspective
- Biofilm formation at the air–liquid interface by the Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 wrinkly spreader requires an acetylated form of cellulose
- Opioid Activation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Contributes to Drug Reinforcement
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.