Results of a phase IV, open label, head-to-head study of intramuscular AVONEX and
high-dose, high-frequency subcutaneous Rebif®
(interferon beta-1a) provide clinical evidence that the two drugs show similar
efficacy over 18 to 30 months of continued therapy in patients with
relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). These data are published in the
April 2008 issue of the Current Medical Research and Opinion journal.
The Prospective and Retrospective Long-Term Observational Study of
AVONEX and Rebif (PROOF), involved 217 patients with 136 completing a median of
25.9 months of AVONEX 30 mcg once weekly (n=69) and a median of 22.2 months
Rebif 44 mcg three times weekly (n=67).
Led by a group of principal
investigators including Dr. T. Jock Murray of Division of Neurology, Dalhousie
MS Research Unit, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center, Halifax, Nova
Scotia; Canada; and Dr. Alireza Minagar, Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, the study provides further
clinical evidence that the dose and frequency of treatment shows no advantage on
delivering better efficacy.
Upon evaluation of baseline disability,
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores showed no statistically
significant differences between the two treatment groups during the prospective
portion of the study, with sustained disability progression similar for both:
25.8 percent for AVONEX vs. 26.7 percent for Rebif.
Additional key
findings include:
- Relapse rates, MRI endpoints of brain
parenchymal fraction, T1 lesion volume, T2 lesion volume, number of
new/enlarging T2 lesions and gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) lesion volume and count
were also comparable between both groups.
- In addition, 19 percent of
patients taking Rebif tested positive for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) at end
of treatment compared with zero percent taking AVONEX.
"Given that this
data shows similar efficacy between AVONEX and Rebif, physicians and patients
with relapsing-remitting MS may want to consider factors that influence ease of
use and adherence to treatment such as convenient administration, injection
tolerability and immunogenicity when selecting therapy," said Dr. Murray.
"These results are in accordance with a growing body of evidence from
other trials that suggest that interferons show similar efficacy regardless of
dose or frequency," said Thorsten Eickenhorst, MD, vice president of Medical
Affairs at Biogen Idec. "AVONEX is the only once-a-week therapy that has proven
to slow disability and offers a low incidence of injection site reactions."
AVONEX is the number one prescribed treatment for relapsing forms of
multiple sclerosis (MS) worldwide, and is the only once-a-week MS therapy that
is effective after the first attack. AVONEX is also proven to slow the
progression of physical disability (as shown by 37 percent reduction over two
years) and reduce the number of relapses. Nearly nine out of 10 patients
remained fully functional after five years. AVONEX has been proven effective in
clinical trials for up to three years.
This study was supported by
Biogen Idec.
About AVONEX
AVONEX is the number one most
prescribed treatment for relapsing forms of MS worldwide, with more than 130,000
patients on therapy. It was launched in the U.S. in 1996 and later in Europe for
the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to slow the progression of disability and
reduce relapses. AVONEX has been proven effective in clinical trials for up to
three years. AVONEX is marketed internationally in more than 90 countries.
AVONEX was the first treatment approved for patients who have their first
clinical MS attack and have a brain MRI scan consistent with MS; this use was
approved in Europe in 2002 and in the U.S. in 2003.
The most common side
effects associated with AVONEX multiple sclerosis treatment are flu-like
symptoms, including myalgia, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting,
pain and asthenia.
AVONEX should be used with caution in patients with
depression or other mood disorders and in patients with seizure disorders.
AVONEX should not be used by pregnant women. Patients with cardiac disease
should be closely monitored. Patients should also be monitored for signs of
hepatic injury. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are
recommended during treatment with AVONEX. Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been
reported.
http://www.AVONEX.com
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