Intramuscular Interferon Beta-1A Therapy Initiated during a First Demyelinating Event in Multiple Sclerosis
Lawrence D. Jacobs, M.D., Roy W. Beck, M.D., Ph.D., Jack H. Simon, M.D., Ph.D., R. Phillip Kinkel, M.D., Carol M. Brownscheidle, Ph.D., Thomas J. Murray, M.D., Nancy A. Simonian, M.D., Peter J. Slasor, Sc.D., Alfred W. Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., for The CHAMPS Study Group
Background Treatment with interferon beta has been shown tohelp patients with established multiple sclerosis, but it isnot known whether initiating treatment at the time of a firstclinical demyelinating event is of value.
Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of 383patients who had a first acute clinical demyelinating event(optic neuritis, incomplete transverse myelitis, or a brain-stemor cerebellar syndrome) and evidence of prior subclinical demyelinationon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. After initialtreatment with corticosteroids, 193 patients were randomly assignedto receive weekly intramuscular injections of 30 µg ofinterferon beta-1a and 190 were assigned to receive weekly injectionsof placebo. The study end points were the development of clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis and changes in findings on MRI ofthe brain. The trial was stopped after a preplanned interimefficacy analysis.
Results During three years of follow-up, the cumulative probabilityof the development of clinically definite multiple sclerosiswas significantly lower in the interferon beta-1a group thanin the placebo group (rate ratio, 0.56; 95 percent confidenceinterval, 0.38 to 0.81; P=0.002). As compared with the patientsin the placebo group, patients in the interferon beta-1a grouphad a relative reduction in the volume of brain lesions (P<0.001),fewer new or enlarging lesions (P<0.001), and fewer gadolinium-enhancinglesions (P<0.001) at 18 months.
Conclusions Initiating treatment with interferon beta-1a atthe time of a first demyelinating event is beneficial for patientswith brain lesions on MRI that indicate a high risk of clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinatingdisease of the central nervous system that most commonly affectswomen, with an onset typically between 20 and 40 years of age.A diagnosis of clinically definite multiple sclerosis requiresthe occurrence of at least two neurologic events consistentwith demyelination that are separated both anatomically in thecentral nervous system and temporally.1 Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of the brain, by identifying lesions consistent with theoccurrence of demyelination, can add certainty to the diagnosis.2,3The presence of such MRI-identified lesions in a patient withan isolated syndrome of the optic nerve (optic neuritis), spinalcord (incomplete transverse myelitis), or brain stem or cerebellumof recent onset is associated with a high risk of clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis.4,5,6,7,8 When the cause is demyelination,all three syndromes are presumed to have a common pathogenesis.
Interferon-beta has demonstrated benefits in the treatment ofpatients with established multiple sclerosis, including slowingthe progression of physical disability,9,10 reducing the rateof clinical relapses,9,10,11 and reducing the development ofbrain lesions, as assessed by MRI,9,10,11,12 and brain atrophy.13However, it is not known whether treatment of patients earlierin the course of multiple sclerosis is of value. Therefore,we designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinicaltrial to determine whether weekly intramuscular injections ofinterferon beta-1a (Avonex) in patients with a first demyelinatingevent and with MRI evidence of prior subclinical demyelinationin the brain reduced the incidence of clinically definite multiplesclerosis.
Methods
Patients
The study was conducted at 50 clinical centers in the UnitedStates and Canada from April 1996 until March 2000. The protocoland informed-consent forms were approved by the institutionalreview board at each site, and all patients gave written informedconsent. Study oversight was provided by an independent dataand safety monitoring committee.
Eligible subjects were patients between the ages of 18 and 50who had a first isolated, well-defined neurologic event consistentwith demyelination and involving the optic nerve (unilateraloptic neuritis), spinal cord (incomplete transverse myelitis),or brain stem or cerebellum (brain-stem or cerebellar syndrome)that was confirmed on ophthalmologic or neurologic examination.Patients also had to have two or more clinically silent lesionsof the brain that were at least 3 mm in diameter on MRI scansand were characteristic of multiple sclerosis (at least onelesion had to be periventricular or ovoid). The onset of thevisual or neurologic symptoms had to have been no more than14 days before intravenous corticosteroid therapy was started(as described below) and no more than 27 days before randomization.Patients with a prior neurologic or visual event consistentwith the occurrence of demyelination that lasted longer than48 hours were excluded.
Treatment Assignment and Monitoring
All patients received 1 g of methylprednisolone per day intravenouslyfor 3 days, followed by 1 mg of prednisone per kilogram of bodyweight per day orally for 11 days and a 4-day period of taperingin which 20 mg was given on the first day, 10 mg on the second,0 mg on the third, and 10 mg on the fourth. In order to achievebalance with respect to the number of lesions on T2-weightedMRI scans (two, three or four, five to seven, and eight or more)and the type of initial clinical event (optic neuritis, spinalcord syndrome, or brain-stem or cerebellar syndrome), we useda minimization procedure14 to assign patients randomly in approximatelyequal numbers to the two treatment groups. The distributionof the treatment groups according to study site was what wouldbe expected by chance (P=0.88). One group received 30 µgof interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Biogen) weekly by intramuscularinjection, whereas the other group received a matching placebo.The treatment period was planned to be three years. Patientsand site personnel were unaware of the treatment assignments.
Treatment began after the course of intravenous methylprednisolonewas completed while the patient was still receiving oral prednisone.To minimize the symptoms of the interferon-related influenza-likesyndrome, patients were instructed to take 650 mg of acetaminophenbefore each injection and then every 6 hours after each injectionfor 24 hours during the first six months of treatment.
We assessed compliance with the protocol by reviewing the patients'diaries and counting the number of empty vials that were returned.Each center was instructed to report all adverse events duringthe first six months of treatment, but thereafter to reportonly serious adverse events, as well as depression, seizures,cardiac events, and injection-site reactions, whether or notthey were serious. An influenza-like syndrome was defined asthe presence of influenza-like symptoms, fever, or chills. Everysix months, blood was obtained for hematologic and serum chemicaltests and physical examinations were performed. Laboratory valuesthat exceeded prespecified ranges were considered abnormal.Serum was assayed for the presence of neutralizing antibodiesevery six months; we report the incidence of titers greaterthan or equal to 1:20 the level that has been associatedwith reduced biologic activity of interferon beta-1a.15
Study Procedures and End Points
At the end of the first month (and again at the end of the secondmonth, if the patient's condition was not considered to be stableor improving at month 1), each patient was examined by a treatingand an examining neurologist, both of whom were unaware of thepatient's treatment assignment. Subsequent examinations werescheduled at month 6 and every six months thereafter; additionalexaminations were performed within seven days after a patientreported new visual or neurologic symptoms. The treating neurologistwas responsible for asking the patient about adverse eventsand visual or neurologic symptoms, whereas the examining neurologistperformed a structured neurologic examination without knowledgeof the patient's history during or before the study.
The primary prespecified end point was the development of clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis. For patients whose condition wasneurologically stable or improving one month after the initiationof treatment with the study drug, the end point was definedas the occurrence of either a new visual or neurologic eventor progressive neurologic deterioration. The former requireddocumentation of a new clinical abnormality consistent withthe patient's report of neurologic or visual symptoms that lastedmore than 48 hours and that were attributable to a part of thecentral nervous system that differed from that of the initialepisode at study entry. The latter was defined as an increasefrom month 1 of at least 1.5 points in the score on the ExpandedDisability Status Scale.16 On this scale, scores range from0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe disability.A patient whose initial demyelinating event was clinically worseone month after the initiation of treatment was considered tohave reached the primary end point if either further worseningwas documented at two months or the patient withdrew from thestudy before completing two months of treatment. All end pointswere confirmed by a central end-point committee whose memberswere unaware of the patients' treatment assignments.
Patients in whom clinically definite multiple sclerosis developeddiscontinued treatment and were withdrawn from the study. Patientswho discontinued treatment but who did not reach the end pointwere encouraged to return for follow-up assessments.
Findings on MRI of the brain served as a secondary prespecifiedend point. A screening MRI of the brain was performed to determinethe patients' eligibility. Unenhanced T2-weighted and enhancedT1-weighted MRI scans of the brain were obtained with use ofa standardized protocol at base line and at months 6, 12, and18 in patients who were still in the study at those times. Thebase-line scan was obtained four or more days after the patientcompleted the course of intravenous methylprednisolone but whilethe patient was still receiving oral prednisone. MRI of thebrain was not performed after 18 months because of the expectationthat the rate of clinical outcomes would differ between treatmentgroups (since patients were withdrawn from the trial on receiptof a diagnosis of clinically definite multiple sclerosis) andcould therefore skew the interpretation of the results. Allscans that could be evaluated were graded at a central readingcenter without knowledge of the patients' treatment assignments.The number of new or enlarging lesions and the volume of lesionson T2-weighted MRI scans and the number of gadolinium-enhancinglesions on T1-weighted MRI scans were assessed according toa standardized method.
Statistical Analysis
We calculated that 380 patients would be needed for the study,given an estimated three-year rate of clinically definite multiplesclerosis in the placebo group of 50 percent, a relative effectof treatment of 33 percent, a 5 percent probability of a typeI error (two-tailed), and a power of 80 percent. The calculationwas adjusted to allow for 15 percent of the patients to be withdrawnor lost to follow-up before the development of clinically definitemultiple sclerosis. Primary analyses included all randomizedpatients and followed the intention-to-treat principle. Allreported P values are two-tailed.
The cumulative probability of clinically definite multiple sclerosiswas calculated for each group according to the KaplanMeierproduct-limit method and compared with use of the Mantel log-ranktest, beginning after one month of treatment (since by definitionthe end point could not be reached before one month). Data onpatients in whom clinically definite multiple sclerosis didnot develop were censored on the date they were last seen bythe treating neurologist at either a scheduled or unscheduledvisit. Unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios were determined froma proportional-hazards model. Differences in the size of effectsin subgroups classified according to the initial clinical eventand the number of brain lesions on T2-weighted MRI scans atscreening were assessed separately with use of interaction termsin the proportional-hazards model. The data on the volume oflesions and the number of lesions on MRI were evaluated withthe use of the MannWhitney rank-sum test.
The trial was terminated in March 2000 at the recommendationof the data and safety monitoring committee after the singlepreplanned interim analysis of efficacy. This analysis revealedthat treatment with interferon beta-1a was significantly betterthan treatment with placebo and met the stopping guidelines,which included a P value of 0.029.
Results
Base-Line Characteristics
Between April 1996 and April 1998, 383 patients were enrolledin the trial: 193 were randomly assigned to the interferon beta-1agroup and 190 to the placebo group. The base-line characteristicsof the two groups were similar (Table 1).
Table 1. Base-Line Characteristics of the Patients.
Development of Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis and Brain Lesions on MRI
The cumulative probability of the development of clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis during the three-year follow-upperiod was significantly lower in the interferon beta-1a groupthan in the placebo group (rate ratio, 0.56; 95 percent confidenceinterval, 0.38 to 0.81; P=0.002) (Figure 1). At three years,the cumulative probability was 35 percent in the interferonbeta-1a group and 50 percent in the placebo group. After adjustmentfor age, type of initial event, the volume of lesions on T2-weightedMRI scans, and the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions onT1-weighted scans, the effect of treatment with interferon beta-1aappeared to be stronger (adjusted rate ratio, 0.49; 95 percentconfidence interval, 0.33 to 0.73; P<0.001). The effect oftreatment was similar among subgroups classified according tothe type of initial event (P=0.49 for the interaction) and thenumber of lesions on the T2-weighted MRI scan at screening (P=0.88for the interaction).
Figure 1. KaplanMeier Estimates of the Cumulative Probability of the Development of Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) According to Treatment Group.
The cumulative probability of the development of clinically definite multiple sclerosis during the three-year follow-up period was significantly lower in the interferon beta-1a group than in the placebo group (P=0.002 by the Mantel log-rank test). The numbers of patients at risk are the numbers in whom clinically definite multiple sclerosis had not developed at the beginning of each three-month period. The end point was assessed beginning at one month, since according to the protocol that was the earliest possible time at which the end point could be reached. The "early-withdrawal" row indicates the number of patients in whom multiple sclerosis did not develop and whose follow-up ended before the study ended. Data were censored at the time of a patient's last completed neurologic examination.
The diagnosis of clinically definite multiple sclerosis wasthe result of a second acute demyelinating event in all butfive patients. One patient in each group had progressive neurologicworsening during the first two months of the study treatment,and one patient in the interferon beta-1a group and two patientsin the placebo group had progressive neurologic disability withoutan acute exacerbation. Corticosteroids were prescribed for aneurologic event that did not qualify as clinically definitemultiple sclerosis in the case of 9 patients in the interferonbeta-1a group (3 of whom later met the criteria for clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis) and 22 patients in the placebogroup (7 of whom later met the criteria).
The changes in the volume of brain lesions on T2-weighted MRIscans differed significantly between the interferon beta-1agroup and the placebo group at 6 months (P<0.001), 12 months(P=0.004), and 18 months (P<0.001) (Table 2). At 18 months,the median increase in lesion volume was 1 percent in the interferonbeta-1a group, as compared with 16 percent in the placebo group.At 6, 12, and 18 months, there were also fewer new or enlarginglesions on T2-weighted MRI scans (P=0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001,respectively) and fewer gadolinium-enhancing lesions on T1-weightedscans (P=0.03, P=0.02, and P< 0.001, respectively) in theinterferon beta-1a group than in the placebo group (Table 2).As compared with the placebo group, the interferon beta-1a grouphad 42 percent fewer gadolinium-enhancing lesions at 6 months,55 percent fewer at 12 months, and 67 percent fewer at 18 months.
Table 2. Findings on T1-Weighted and T2-Weighted MRI Scans of the Brain, after 6, 12, and 18 Months of Treatment.
Completeness of Follow-Up
Follow-up was discontinued early for a reason other than thedevelopment of clinically definite multiple sclerosis in 30of the 193 patients in the interferon beta-1a group (16 percent)and in 27 of the 190 patients in the placebo group (14 percent).The mean (±SD) duration of follow-up for the remainingpatients in whom clinically definite multiple sclerosis hadnot developed and who were still being followed when the trialwas stopped or who had completed the 3-year final examinationwas 30.9±4.9 months in the interferon beta-1a group and30.6±5.1 months in the placebo group, and the respectiverates of completed visits were 99.4 percent and 99.5 percent.All of these patients completed at least 22 months of follow-up.
Adverse Events, Development of Neutralizing Antibodies, and Compliance
During the first six months, an influenza-like syndrome wasreported by 54 percent of the patients in the interferon beta-1agroup and by 26 percent of the patients in the placebo group(P<0.001). Depression was the only other adverse event whoseincidence was at least 5 percentage points higher in the interferonbeta-1a group than in the placebo group (incidence, 20 percentand 13 percent; P=0.05). Serious adverse events, none of whichwere attributed to treatment, occurred in 12 patients in theinterferon beta-1a group and 19 patients in the placebo group.Neutralizing antibodies were detected in less than 1 percentof patients in the interferon beta-1a group at 12 and 18 monthsand in 2 percent at 24 and 30 months.
Treatment was discontinued because of an adverse event in onepatient in the interferon beta-1a group (<1 percent) andin seven patients in the placebo group (4 percent). Treatmentwas stopped early for other reasons in 37 patients in the interferonbeta-1a group (19 percent; 7 were lost to follow-up, 1 diedin an automobile accident, 2 had disease activity, and 27 askedto withdraw or withdrew for other reasons) and in 28 patientsin the placebo group (15 percent; 9 were lost to follow-up,4 had disease activity, and 15 asked to withdraw or withdrewfor other reasons). Treatment was not discontinued in any patientbecause of an abnormal laboratory value. The treatment assignmentwas revealed in the case of one patient who became pregnant.
Ninety-three percent of the patients in the interferon beta-1agroup and 99.5 percent of the patients in the placebo grouptook the study medication at least 80 percent of the time; 88percent and 94 percent, respectively, were at least 90 percentcompliant.
Discussion
The results of our trial add to the indications for interferonbeta-1a in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In additionto the previously demonstrated benefit of interferon beta inpatients with established multiple sclerosis,9,10,11,12,13 ourresults show that once-weekly intramuscular injections of interferonbeta-1a, initiated at the time of a first clinical demyelinatingevent, are beneficial in patients who have MRI evidence of priorsubclinical demyelination in the brain. In our study of 383patients, interferon beta-1a reduced the rate of developmentof clinically definite multiple sclerosis within three yearsby about half. Findings on MRI scans of the brain provided additionalobjective support for the observation that the effects of treatmentwith interferon beta-1a were rapid and sustained. Interferonbeta-1a was well tolerated, with no serious treatment-relatedadverse effects.
The base-line characteristics of the two groups were similar,and there was no evidence of confounding in the analyses. Thepercentage of patients who were withdrawn from the study forreasons other than the development of clinically definite multiplesclerosis was similar in the two groups. Most patients continuedtreatment until their protocol-specified follow-up concluded,and the rates of compliance were good in both groups. The occurrenceof the influenza-like syndrome related to interferon beta-1atherapy could have provided some patients with a clue to thetreatment assignment, but given that the examining neurologistwas unaware of the patients' histories and that a separate,central end-point committee was used to verify all outcomes,this possibility should not have appreciably biased the results.
Because approved treatments for multiple sclerosis are available,we could not ethically keep patients in their assigned groupsonce clinically definite multiple sclerosis was diagnosed. Thus,the trial design could not provide any direct data on the long-termeffect of interferon beta-1a on the rate of exacerbations orthe progression of disability. However, the beneficial effectsseen on MRI scans of the brain provide indirect evidence ofa long-term benefit of treatment. A prior longitudinal studyof patients with acute isolated demyelinating events found thatthe volume and number of brain lesions on T2-weighted MRI scansboth at the time of the initial demyelinating event and subsequentlywere predictive of the degree of neurologic disability 10 yearsafter the initial event.7,8
There has been controversy about the importance of performingMRI of the brain at the time of a first acute demyelinatingevent, particularly in patients who present with optic neuritis,since a clinical diagnosis of this syndrome generally can beestablished without ancillary testing.17 The results of ourstudy provide justification for obtaining MRI scans of the brainat the time of a first event to determine whether there is furtherevidence of multiple sclerosis. Our results indicate that once-weeklytreatment with intramuscular interferon beta-1a is beneficialin patients who are deemed to be at high risk for clinicallydefinite multiple sclerosis because they have subclinical demyelinatinglesions on MRI of the brain. Our study does not provide thelong-term follow-up data required to determine whether earlyinitiation of treatment has long-term effects. However, theweight of current knowledge suggests that preventing or delayinga second attack of multiple sclerosis and reducing the progressionof central nervous system demyelination as demonstrated on MRIscans of the brain will have long-term clinical benefits.
Drs. Jacobs, Beck, Simon, Kinkel, Brownscheidle, and Murrayare paid consultants to Biogen.
Supported by Biogen.
* Other participants in the Controlled High-Risk Subjects AvonexMultiple Sclerosis Prevention Study (CHAMPS) are listed in theAppendix.
Source Information
From the Department of Neurology, State University of New York School of Medicine at Buffalo and Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo (L.D.J., C.M.B.); the Jaeb Center for Health Research, Tampa, Fla. (R.W.B.); the Department of RadiologyMRI, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver (J.H.S.); the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland (R.P.K.); the Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, Centre for Clinical Research, Victoria General Hospital, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, N.S., Canada (T.J.M.); and Biogen, Cambridge, Mass. (N.A.S., P.J.S., A.W.S.).
Address reprint requests to Dr. Jacobs at the Department of Neurology, Buffalo General Hospital, 100 High St., Buffalo, NY 14203, or at ljacobs{at}kaleidahealth.org.
References
Poser CM, Paty DW, Scheinberg L, et al. New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines for research protocols. Ann Neurol 1983;13:227-231. [CrossRef][Medline]
Fazekas F, Barkhof F, Filippi M, et al. The contribution of magnetic resonance imaging to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1999;53:448-456. [Free Full Text]
Ormerod IE, Miller DH, McDonald WI, et al. The role of NMR imaging in the assessment of multiple sclerosis and isolated neurological lesions: a quantitative study. Brain 1987;110:1579-1616. [Free Full Text]
The Optic Neuritis Study Group. The 5-year risk of MS after optic neuritis: experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Neurology 1997;49:1404-1413. [Free Full Text]
Jacobs LD, Kaba SE, Miller CM, Priore RL, Brownscheidle CM. Correlation of clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid findings in optic neuritis. Ann Neurol 1997;41:392-398. [CrossRef][Medline]
Morrissey SP, Miller DG, Kendall BE, et al. The significance of brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities at presentation with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis: a 5-year follow-up study. Brain 1993;116:135-146. [Free Full Text]
O'Riordan JI, Thompson AJ, Kingsley DPE, et al. The prognostic value of brain MRI in clinically isolated syndromes of the CNS: a 10-year follow-up. Brain 1998;121:495-503. [Free Full Text]
Sailer M, O'Riordan JI, Thompson AJ, et al. Quantitative MRI in patients with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of demyelination. Neurology 1999;52:599-606. [Free Full Text]
Jacobs LD, Cookfair DL, Rudick RA, et al. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a for disease progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1996;39:285-294. [Erratum, nn Neurol 1996;40:480.] [CrossRef][Medline]
PRISMS (Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon ß-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis) Study Group. Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study of interferon ß-1a in relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. Lancet 1998;352:1498-1504. [Erratum, Lancet 1999;353:678.] [CrossRef][Medline]
The IFNB Multiple Sclerosis Study Group. Interferon beta-1b is effective in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. I. Clinical results of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology 1993;43:655-661. [Free Full Text]
Simon JH, Jacobs LD, Campion M, et al. Magnetic resonance studies of intramuscular interferon ß-1a for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1998;43:79-87. [CrossRef][Medline]
Rudick RA, Fisher E, Lee JC, Simon J, Jacobs L, Multiple Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group. Use of the brain parenchymal fraction to measure whole brain atrophy in relapsing-remitting MS. Neurology 1999;53:1698-1704. [Free Full Text]
Taves DR. Minimization: a new method of assigning patients to treatment and control groups. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1974;15:443-453. [Medline]
Rudick R, Simonian NA, Alam JA, et al. Incidence and significance of neutralizing antibodies to interferon beta-1a in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1998;50:1266-1272. [Free Full Text]
Kurtzke JF. Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Neurology 1983;33:1444-1452. [Free Full Text]
The Optic Neuritis Study Group. The clinical profile of optic neuritis: experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Arch Ophthalmol 1991;109:1673-1678. [Free Full Text]
Appendix
Other participants in the study were as follows: Clinical Centers University of Toronto: P. O'Connor, P. Fleming, T. Gray;Buffalo General Hospital: C. Miller, R. Bakshi, F. Munschauer;Cleveland Clinic Foundation: D. Bolibrush, J. Cohen; OttawaGeneral Hospital: M. Freedman, U. Webb, H. Rabinowicz; FoothillsHospital: L. Metz, A. Davis, R. Ranawaya; Vancouver Hospitaland Health Sciences Center: S. Hashimoto, W. Morrison, J. Oger;University of Maryland Hospital: H. Panitch, K. Costello, C.Bever; Multiple Sclerosis Center at Shepherd: W. Stuart, D.Court, D. Stuart; Georgetown University Hospital: C. Tornatore,D. Bartlett, J. Richert; Hôpital Notre Dame: P. Duquette,R. Dubois, G. Bernier; Allegheny Neurological Associates: T.Scott, L. Pappert, J. Brillman; Medical College of Virginia,Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital: W. Fenton, III, T. Anderson,J. Astruc; Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center: J.Rose, J. Kline, J. Burns; Victoria General Hospital: P. Weldon,F. Bhan; University of Iowa College of Medicine: M. Wall, L.Vining, T. Grabowski; New York HospitalCornell MedicalCenter: B. Apatoff, K. Arapello, J. Friedman; University ofPennsylvania Medical Center: S. Galetta, D. Pfohl, G. Liu; LondonHealth Sciences Centre University Hospital: G. Rice, T. Bental,P. Mandalfino; Michigan State University: E. Eggenberger, D.Snider, D. Kaufman; Yale School of Medicine: J. Guarnaccia,M. Shepard, J. Goldstein; Beta Research, Inc.: M. Reiss, E.Carter, G. Glista; Marshfield Clinic: L. Rolak, L. Scheller,D. Jacobson; University of Rochester: A. Goodman, M. Petrie,D. Mattson; RushPresbyterianSt. Luke's MedicalCenter: K. Karlin, A. Wallin, D. Stefoski; University of TexasHealth Science Center: S. Brod, E. Cerretta, J. Wolinsky; MontrealNeurological Institute: D. Arnold, R. Arnoutelis, L. Durcan;Beth Israel Medical Center: M. Kupersmith, L. Cappolino, J.Herbert; Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Center:J. Rosenberg, D. McHugh, A. Blumenfeld; Swedish Medical Center:C. Smith, D. Kuder, S. Hamilton; Neurological Associates, Inc.:S. Thurston, J. McGee, J. O'Bannon; Carolinas Medical Center:M. Kaufman, M. Butler, S. Putnam; Ohio State University: K.Rammohan, A. Siffort, J. Lynn; St. Louis University Health SciencesCenter: J. Selhourst, E. Holzemer, G. Hayat; Wayne State UniversitySchool of Medicine: A. Tselis, C. Caon, R. Lisak: MassachusettsGeneral Hospital: S. Wray, P. Sexton, J. Lehrich; Universityof Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Medical School: S. Cook,A. Jotkowitz, S. Bansil; Emory Clinic: N. Newman, J. Brown,P. Pennell; Mayo Clinic Arizona: J. Carter, J. Buckner, R. Caselli;Neurology Group: L. Kerson, M. Camasso, G. Donneief; East BayNeurology, Inc.: J. Cooper, D. Salkovsky, H. Shale; Universityof Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary: J. Goodwin, T. Johnson, A.Gulati; New England Medical Center: T. Hedges, C. Yardley, T.Tran; University of Missouri: S. Horowitz, A. Bonnett, R. Burger;Kaiser Permanente Medical Center: J. Javerbaum, C. Griffin,R.J. Whaley; Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University:D. Jeffery, S.E. Jackson, E. Bastings; DartmouthHitchcockMedical Center: L. Kasper, K. Ryan, J. Bernat; Oregon HealthSciences University: M. Mass, S. Cooper Hanel, D. Bourdette;University of Florida: J. Guy, M. Wilson, M. Greer; Mayo Clinic:C. Lucchinetti, M. Botten, J. Noseworthy; Medical Universityof South Carolina: A. Walker, B. Muntz, W. Tyor; MRI ReadingCenter, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center M. Meyer, R. Leek, C. Gustafson, D. Singel, B. Quandt, D.E.Miller, B. Coombs, A. Cajade-Law, M. Lajaunie; End-Point Committee A. Miller (chair), J. Richert, J. Cohen, T. Vollmer,J. Oger; Advisory Committee L. Jacobs (cochair), R.Beck (cochair), R.P. Kinkel, C. Brownscheidle, T.J. Murray,J. Simon; Data and Safety Monitoring Committee J. Antel(chair), L. Myers, G. Birnbaum, S. Reingold, R. Burde, W. Sibley,J. Ware; Biogen N. Blanchard, K. Lloyd, H. Park, F.Votruba, K. White.
Young, J., Quinn, S., Hurrell, M., Taylor, B.
(2009). Clinically isolated acute transverse myelitis: prognostic features and incidence. Mult Scler
15: 1295-1302
[Abstract]
Garcea, O., Villa, A., Caceres, F., Adoni, T., Alegria, M., Barbosa Thomaz, R., Buzo, R., Llamas Lopez, L., Rivera Kindel, M.
(2009). Early treatment of multiple sclerosis: a Latin American Experts Meeting. Mult Scler
15: S1-S12
[Abstract]
Goodin, D., Bates, D.
(2009). Review: Treatment of early multiple sclerosis: the value of treatment initiation after a first clinical episode. Mult Scler
15: 1175-1182
[Abstract]
Klawiter, E. C., Cross, A. H., Naismith, R. T.
(2009). The present efficacy of multiple sclerosis therapeutics: Is the new 66% just the old 33%?. Neurology
73: 984-990
[Abstract][Full Text]
Siva, A, Saip, S, Altintas, A, Jacob, A, Keegan, B., Kantarci, O.
(2009). Multiple sclerosis risk in radiologically uncovered asymptomatic possible inflammatory-demyelinating disease. Mult Scler
15: 918-927
[Abstract]
Waubant, E., Chabas, D., Okuda, D. T., Glenn, O., Mowry, E., Henry, R. G., Strober, J. B., Soares, B., Wintermark, M., Pelletier, D.
(2009). Difference in Disease Burden and Activity in Pediatric Patients on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Time of Multiple Sclerosis Onset vs Adults. Arch Neurol
66: 967-971
[Abstract][Full Text]
Carroll, W.
(2009). Clinical trials of multiple sclerosis therapies: improvements to demonstrate long-term patient benefit. Mult Scler
15: 951-958
[Abstract]
Naismith, R. T., Tutlam, N. T., Xu, J., Shepherd, J. B., Klawiter, E. C., Song, S. -K., Cross, A. H.
(2009). Optical coherence tomography is less sensitive than visual evoked potentials in optic neuritis. Neurology
73: 46-52
[Abstract][Full Text]
Lebrun, C., Bensa, C., Debouverie, M., Wiertlevski, S., Brassat, D., de Seze, J., Rumbach, L., Pelletier, J., Labauge, P., Brochet, B., Tourbah, A., Clavelou, P., for the Club Francophone de la Sclerose en Plaques,
(2009). Association Between Clinical Conversion to Multiple Sclerosis in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and Visual Evoked Potential: Follow-up of 70 Patients. Arch Neurol
66: 841-846
[Abstract][Full Text]
O'Connor, P, Kinkel, R., Kremenchutzky, M
(2009). Efficacy of intramuscular interferon beta-1a in patients with clinically isolated syndrome: analysis of subgroups based on new risk criteria. Mult Scler
15: 728-734
[Abstract]
Zipoli, V, Hakiki, B, Portaccio, E, Lolli, F, Siracusa, G, Giannini, M, Pantoni, L, Pescini, F, Sorbi, S, Amato, M.
(2009). The contribution of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands to the early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
15: 472-478
[Abstract]
Callen, D.J.A., Shroff, M. M., Branson, H. M., Lotze, T., Li, D. K., Stephens, D., Banwell, B. L.
(2009). MRI in the diagnosis of pediatric multiple sclerosis. Neurology
72: 961-967
[Abstract][Full Text]
Zhang, X., Jin, J., Tang, Y., Speer, D., Sujkowska, D., Markovic-Plese, S.
(2009). IFN-{beta}1a Inhibits the Secretion of Th17-Polarizing Cytokines in Human Dendritic Cells via TLR7 Up-Regulation. J. Immunol.
182: 3928-3936
[Abstract][Full Text]
Swanton, J. K., Fernando, K. T., Dalton, C. M., Miszkiel, K. A., Altmann, D. R., Plant, G. T., Thompson, A. J., Miller, D. H.
(2009). Early MRI in optic neuritis: The risk for disability. Neurology
72: 542-550
[Abstract][Full Text]
Coyle, P, Arnason, B, Hurwitz, B, Lublin, F
(2009). Optimizing Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis - A Consensus Initiative. Mult Scler
15: S5-S35
[Abstract]
Haussleiter, I. S., Brune, M., Juckel, G.
(2009). Review: Psychopathology in multiple sclerosis: diagnosis, prevalence and treatment. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders
2: 13-29
[Abstract]
Coyle, P. K.
(2008). Early treatment of multiple sclerosis to prevent neurologic damage. Neurology
71: S3-S7
[Abstract][Full Text]
Goodin, D. S.
(2008). Disease-modifying therapy in multiple sclerosis: Update and clinical implications. Neurology
71: S8-S13
[Abstract][Full Text]
Miller, D., Weinshenker, B., Filippi, M, Banwell, B., Cohen, J., Freedman, M., Galetta, S., Hutchinson, M, Johnson, R., Kappos, L, Kira, J, Lublin, F., McFarland, H., Montalban, X, Panitch, H, Richert, J., Reingold, S., Polman, C.
(2008). Differential diagnosis of suspected multiple sclerosis: a consensus approach. Mult Scler
14: 1157-1174
[Abstract]
Bakshi, R., Neema, M., Healy, B. C., Liptak, Z., Betensky, R. A., Buckle, G. J., Gauthier, S. A., Stankiewicz, J., Meier, D., Egorova, S., Arora, A., Guss, Z. D., Glanz, B., Khoury, S. J., Guttmann, C. R. G., Weiner, H. L.
(2008). Predicting Clinical Progression in Multiple Sclerosis With the Magnetic Resonance Disease Severity Scale. Arch Neurol
65: 1449-1453
[Abstract][Full Text]
Goodin, D. S., Cohen, B. A., O'Connor, P., Kappos, L., Stevens, J. C.
(2008). Assessment: The use of natalizumab (Tysabri) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (an evidence-based review): Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology
71: 766-773
[Abstract][Full Text]
Soelberg Sorensen, P.
(2008). Review: Neutralizing antibodies against interferon-beta. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders
1: 125-141
[Abstract]
Di Pauli, F, Reindl, M, Ehling, R, Schautzer, F, Gneiss, C, Lutterotti, A, O'Reilly, E., Munger, K., Deisenhammer, F, Ascherio, A, Berger, T
(2008). Smoking is a risk factor for early conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
14: 1026-1030
[Abstract]
Bendszus, M., Ladewig, G., Jestaedt, L., Misselwitz, B., Solymosi, L., Toyka, K., Stoll, G.
(2008). Gadofluorine M enhancement allows more sensitive detection of inflammatory CNS lesions than T2-w imaging: a quantitative MRI study. Brain
131: 2341-2352
[Abstract][Full Text]
Costello, F, Hodge, W, Pan, Y., Eggenberger, E, Coupland, S, Kardon, R.
(2008). Tracking retinal nerve fiber layer loss after optic neuritis: a prospective study using optical coherence tomography. Mult Scler
14: 893-905
[Abstract]
Volpe, N. J.
(2008). The Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial: A Definitive Answer and Profound Impact With Unexpected Results. Arch Ophthalmol
126: 996-999
[Full Text]
Patten, S., Williams, J., Metz, L.
(2008). Anti-depressant use in association with interferon and glatiramer acetate treatment in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
14: 406-411
[Abstract]
Chen, J. W., Breckwoldt, M. O., Aikawa, E., Chiang, G., Weissleder, R.
(2008). Myeloperoxidase-targeted imaging of active inflammatory lesions in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Brain
131: 1123-1133
[Abstract][Full Text]
Polman, C. H., Reingold, S. C., Barkhof, F., Calabresi, P. A., Clanet, M., Cohen, J. A., Cutter, G. R., Freedman, M. S., Kappos, L., Lublin, F. D., McFarland, H. F., Metz, L. M., Miller, A. E., Montalban, X., O'Connor, P. W., Panitch, H., Richert, J. R., Petkau, J., Schwid, S. R., Sormani, M. P., Thompson, A. J., Weinshenker, B. G., Wolinsky, J. S.
(2008). Ethics of placebo-controlled clinical trials in multiple sclerosis: A reassessment. Neurology
70: 1134-1140
[Abstract][Full Text]
Fisniku, L. K., Brex, P. A., Altmann, D. R., Miszkiel, K. A., Benton, C. E., Lanyon, R., Thompson, A. J., Miller, D. H.
(2008). Disability and T2 MRI lesions: a 20-year follow-up of patients with relapse onset of multiple sclerosis. Brain
131: 808-817
[Abstract][Full Text]
Lebrun, C, Bensa, C, Debouverie, M, De Seze, J, Wiertlievski, S, Brochet, B, Clavelou, P, Brassat, D, Labauge, P, Roullet, E, on behalf of CFSEP,
(2008). Unexpected multiple sclerosis: follow-up of 30 patients with magnetic resonance imaging and clinical conversion profile. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry
79: 195-198
[Abstract][Full Text]
Tomassini, V., De Giglio, L., Reindl, M., Russo, P., Pestalozza, I., Pantano, P., Berger, T., Pozzilli, C.
(2007). Anti-myelin antibodies predict the clinical outcome after a first episode suggestive of MS. Mult Scler
13: 1086-1094
[Abstract]
Pohlau, D., Przuntek, H., Sailer, M., Bethke, F., Koehler, J., Konig, N., Heesen, C., Spath, P., Andresen, I.
(2007). Intravenous immunoglobulin in primary and secondary chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a randomized placebo controlled multicentre study. Mult Scler
13: 1107-1117
[Abstract]
Barkhof, F., Polman, C. H., Radue, E.-W., Kappos, L., Freedman, M. S., Edan, G., Hartung, H.-P., Miller, D. H., Montalban, X., Poppe, P., de Vos, M., Lasri, F., Bauer, L., Dahms, S., Wagner, K., Pohl, C., Sandbrink, R.
(2007). Magnetic Resonance Imaging Effects of Interferon Beta-1b in the BENEFIT Study: Integrated 2-Year Results. Arch Neurol
64: 1292-1298
[Abstract][Full Text]
Shindler, K. S., Ventura, E., Rex, T. S., Elliott, P., Rostami, A.
(2007). SIRT1 Activation Confers Neuroprotection in Experimental Optic Neuritis. IOVS
48: 3602-3609
[Abstract][Full Text]
Pelayo, R., Tintore, M., Rovira, A., Rio, J., Nos, C., Grive, E., Tellez, N., Comabella, M., Montalban, X.
(2007). Polyregional and hemispheric syndromes: a study of these uncommon first attacks in a CIS cohort. Mult Scler
13: 731-736
[Abstract]
Ross, A. P.
(2007). Treatment strategies across the multiple sclerosis lifespan. Neurology
68: S1-S2
[Full Text]
Coyle, P. K.
(2007). Evidence-based medicine and clinical trials. Neurology
68: S3-S7
[Abstract][Full Text]
Thrower, B. W.
(2007). Clinically isolated syndromes: Predicting and delaying multiple sclerosis. Neurology
68: S12-S15
[Abstract][Full Text]
Noronha, A.
(2007). Neutralizing antibodies to interferon. Neurology
68: S16-S22
[Abstract][Full Text]
Frohman, E. M., Kerr, D.
(2007). Is Neuromyelitis Optica Distinct From Multiple Sclerosis?: Something for "Lumpers" and "Splitters". Arch Neurol
64: 903-905
[Full Text]
Farrell, R. A, Giovannoni, G.
(2007). Measuring and management of Anti-Interferon Beta Antibodies in subjects with Multiple Sclerosis. Mult Scler
13: 567-577
[Abstract]
Zivadinov, R., Locatelli, L., Cookfair, D., Srinivasaraghavan, B., Bertolotto, A., Ukmar, M., Bratina, A., Maggiore, C., Bosco, A., Grop, A., Catalan, M., Zorzon, M.
(2007). I nterferon beta-1a slows progression of brain atrophy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis predominantly by reducing gray matter atrophy. Mult Scler
13: 490-501
[Abstract]
Goelz, S. E., Walt, L.
(2007). Development of neutralizing antibodies to intramuscular interferon beta-1a (Avonex (R)). Mult Scler
13: 14-20
[Abstract]
Pohl, D., Waubant, E., Banwell, B., Chabas, D., Chitnis, T., Weinstock-Guttman, B., Tenembaum, S., for the International Pediatric MS Study Group,
(2007). Treatment of pediatric multiple sclerosis and variants. Neurology
68: S54-S65
[Abstract][Full Text]
Koch, M. W., Mostert, J. P., de Vries, J. J., De Keyser, J., Kappos, L ., Polman, C .H., Freedman, M .S., Edan, G ., Hartung, H .-P., Miller, D .H., Montalban, X ., Barkhof, F ., Bauer, L ., Pohl, C ., Sandbrink, R .
(2007). Treatment with interferon beta-1b delays conversion to clinically definite and McDonald MS in patients with clinically isolated syndromes. Neurology
68: 1163-1164
[Full Text]
Goodin, D. S., Frohman, E. M., Hurwitz, B., O'Connor, P. W., Oger, J. J., Reder, A. T., Stevens, J. C.
(2007). Neutralizing antibodies to interferon beta: Assessment of their clinical and radiographic impact: An evidence report: Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology
68: 977-984
[Abstract][Full Text]
Sominanda, A, Rot, U, Suoniemi, M, Deisenhammer, F, Hillert, J, Fogdell-Hahn, A
(2007). Interferon beta preparations for the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients differ in neutralizing antibody seroprevalence and immunogenicity. Mult Scler
13: 208-214
[Abstract]
Lynch, R. A., Etchin, J., Battle, T. E., Frank, D. A.
(2007). A Small-Molecule Enhancer of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 Transcriptional Activity Accentuates the Antiproliferative Effects of IFN-{gamma} in Human Cancer Cells. Cancer Res.
67: 1254-1261
[Abstract][Full Text]
Jenkins, P. F.
(2007). The Multiple Facets of Multiple Sclerosis. Amer. Orthoptic Jrnl.
57: 69-78
[Abstract]
Gneiss, C, Tripp, P, Reichartseder, F, Egg, R, Ehling, R, Lutterotti, A, Khalil, M, Kuenz, B, Mayringer, I, Reindl, M, Berger, T, Deisenhammer, F
(2006). Differing immunogenic potentials of interferon beta preparations in multiple sclerosis patients. Mult Scler
12: 731-737
[Abstract]
Kappos, L., Polman, C. H., Freedman, M. S., Edan, G., Hartung, H. P., Miller, D. H., Montalban, X., Barkhof, F., Bauer, L., Jakobs, P., Pohl, C., Sandbrink, R., for the BENEFIT Study Group,
(2006). Treatment with interferon beta-1b delays conversion to clinically definite and McDonald MS in patients with clinically isolated syndromes. Neurology
67: 1242-1249
[Abstract][Full Text]
Noseworthy, J. H.
(2006). How much can we learn from long-term extension trials in multiple sclerosis?. Neurology
67: 930-931
[Full Text]
Kappos, L., Traboulsee, A., Constantinescu, C., Eralinna, J. -P., Forrestal, F., Jongen, P., Pollard, J., Sandberg-Wollheim, M., Sindic, C., Stubinski, B., Uitdehaag, B., Li, D.
(2006). Long-term subcutaneous interferon beta-1a therapy in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.. Neurology
67: 944-953
[Abstract][Full Text]
Goodin, D. S., Kinkel, R. P., Kollman, C.
(2006). IM interferon {beta}-1a delays definite multiple sclerosis 5 years after a first demyelinating event.. Neurology
67: 1104-1105
[Full Text]
Wattjes, M.P., Harzheim, M., Kuhl, C.K., Gieseke, J., Schmidt, S., Klotz, L., Klockgether, T., Schild, H.H., Lutterbey, G.G.
(2006). Does High-field MR Imaging Have an Influence on the Classification of Patients with Clinically Isolated Syndromes According to Current Diagnostic MR Imaging Criteria for Multiple Sclerosis?. Am. J. Neuroradiol.
27: 1794-1798
[Abstract][Full Text]
Chang, K H, Lyu, R K, Chen, C M, Hsu, W C, Wu, Y R, Chen, S T, Ro, L S
(2006). Clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study. Mult Scler
12: 501-506
[Abstract]
Dorfman, L., Balcer, L. J.
(2006). Optic neuritis.. NEJM
355: 212-212
[Full Text]
Sorensen, P. S., Koch-Henriksen, N., Ravnborg, M., Frederiksen, J. L., Jensen, K a., Heltberg, A., Schaldemose, H., Deth, S., Kristensen, O l., Worm, M., Stenager, E., Hansen, H. J., Sivertsen, B., Torring, J., Danish Multiple Sclerosis Study Group,
(2006). Immunomodulatory treatment of multiple sclerosis in Denmark: a prospective nationwide survey. Mult Scler
12: 253-264
[Abstract]
Fraser, C., Klistorner, A., Graham, S., Garrick, R., Billson, F., Grigg, J.
(2006). Multifocal visual evoked potential latency analysis: predicting progression to multiple sclerosis.. Arch Neurol
63: 847-850
[Abstract][Full Text]
Pittock, S. J., Weinshenker, B. G., Noseworthy, J. H., Lucchinetti, C. F., Keegan, M., Wingerchuk, D. M., Carter, J., Shuster, E., Rodriguez, M.
(2006). Not every patient with multiple sclerosis should be treated at time of diagnosis.. Arch Neurol
63: 611-614
[Full Text]
Frohman, E. M., Havrdova, E., Lublin, F., Barkhof, F., Achiron, A., Sharief, M. K., Stuve, O., Racke, M. K., Steinman, L., Weiner, H., Olek, M., Zivadinov, R., Corboy, J., Raine, C., Cutter, G., Richert, J., Filippi, M.
(2006). Most patients with multiple sclerosis or a clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome should be treated at the time of diagnosis.. Arch Neurol
63: 614-619
[Full Text]
Balcer, L. J.
(2006). Clinical practice. Optic neuritis.. NEJM
354: 1273-1280
[Full Text]
CHAMPIONS Study Group,
(2006). IM interferon {beta}-1a delays definite multiple sclerosis 5 years after a first demyelinating event. Neurology
66: 678-684
[Abstract][Full Text]
Murray, T J
(2006). Diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.. BMJ
332: 525-527
[Full Text]
Polman, C. H., O'Connor, P. W., Havrdova, E., Hutchinson, M., Kappos, L., Miller, D. H., Phillips, J. T., Lublin, F. D., Giovannoni, G., Wajgt, A., Toal, M., Lynn, F., Panzara, M. A., Sandrock, A. W., the AFFIRM Investigators,
(2006). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of natalizumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis.. NEJM
354: 899-910
[Abstract][Full Text]
Rudick, R. A., Stuart, W. H., Calabresi, P. A., Confavreux, C., Galetta, S. L., Radue, E.-W., Lublin, F. D., Weinstock-Guttman, B., Wynn, D. R., Lynn, F., Panzara, M. A., Sandrock, A. W., the SENTINEL Investigators,
(2006). Natalizumab plus interferon beta-1a for relapsing multiple sclerosis.. NEJM
354: 911-923
[Abstract][Full Text]
Masjuan, J., Alvarez-Cermeno, J. C., Garcia-Barragan, N., Diaz-Sanchez, M., Espino, M., Sadaba, M. C., Gonzalez-Porque, P., San Millan, J. M., Villar, L. M.
(2006). Clinically isolated syndromes: A new oligoclonal band test accurately predicts conversion to MS. Neurology
66: 576-578
[Abstract][Full Text]
Rovaris, M., Gambini, A., Gallo, A., Falini, A., Ghezzi, A., Benedetti, B., Sormani, M. P., Martinelli, V., Comi, G., Filippi, M.
(2005). Axonal injury in early multiple sclerosis is irreversible and independent of the short-term disease evolution. Neurology
65: 1626-1630
[Abstract][Full Text]
Iskedjian, M., Walker, J. H, Gray, T., Vicente, C., Einarson, T. R, Gehshan, A.
(2005). Economic evaluation of Avonex(R) (interferon beta-1a) in patients following a single demyelinating event. Mult Scler
11: 542-551
[Abstract]
Mikol, D, Lopez-Bresnahan, M, Taraskiewicz, S, Chang, P, Rangnow, J, RebijectTM Study Group,
(2005). A randomized, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group trial of the tolerability of interferon beta-1a (Rebif(R)) administered by autoinjection or manual injection in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
11: 585-591
[Abstract]
Frohman, E. M., Stuve, O., Havrdova, E., Corboy, J., Achiron, A., Zivadinov, R., Sorensen, P. S., Phillips, J. T., Weinshenker, B., Hawker, K., Hartung, H.-P., Steinman, L., Zamvil, S., Cree, B. A. C., Hauser, S., Weiner, H., Racke, M. K., Filippi, M.
(2005). Therapeutic Considerations for Disease Progression in Multiple Sclerosis: Evidence, Experience, and Future Expectations. Arch Neurol
62: 1519-1530
[Abstract][Full Text]
Becker, M D, Heiligenhaus, A, Hudde, T, Storch-Hagenlocher, B, Wildemann, B, Barisani-Asenbauer, T, Thimm, C, Stubiger, N, Trieschmann, M, Fiehn, C
(2005). Interferon as a treatment for uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis. Br J Ophthalmol
89: 1254-1257
[Abstract][Full Text]
Scott, T. F, Kassab, S. L, Singh, S.
(2005). Acute partial transverse myelitis with normal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging: transition rate to clinically definite multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
11: 373-377
[Abstract]
de Seze, J, Vermersch, P
(2005). Sequential magnetic resonance imaging follow-up of multiple sclerosis before the clinical phase. Mult Scler
11: 395-397
[Abstract]
Herndon, R. M, Rudick, R. A, Munschauer, F. E III, Mass, M. K, Salazar, A. M, Coats, M. E, Labutta, R., Richert, J. R, Cohan, S. L, Genain, C., Goodkin, D., Toal, M., Riester, K.
(2005). Eight-year immunogenicity and safety of interferon beta-1a-Avonex(R)treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
11: 409-419
[Abstract]
Kappos, L., Clanet, M., Sandberg-Wollheim, M., Radue, E. W., Hartung, H. P., Hohlfeld, R., Xu, J., Bennett, D., Sandrock, A., Goelz, S., the European Interferon Beta-1a IM Dose-Comparison,
(2005). Neutralizing antibodies and efficacy of interferon {beta}-1a: A 4-year controlled study. Neurology
65: 40-47
[Abstract][Full Text]
Wessely, R.
(2005). Interference by interferons: Janus faces in vascular proliferative diseases. Cardiovasc Res
66: 433-443
[Abstract][Full Text]
Chaudhuri, A., Behan, P.O.
(2005). Treatment of multiple sclerosis: beyond the NICE guidelines. QJM
98: 373-378
[Abstract][Full Text]
Pandya, R., Metz, L., Patten, S. B.
(2005). Predictive Value of the CES-D in Detecting Depression Among Candidates for Disease-Modifying Multiple Sclerosis Treatment. Psychosomatics
46: 131-134
[Abstract][Full Text]
Siegert, R J, Abernethy, D A
(2005). Depression in multiple sclerosis: a review. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry
76: 469-475
[Abstract][Full Text]
Uitdehaag, B. M., Kappos, L., Bauer, L., Freedman, M. S, Miller, D., Sandbrink, R., Polman, C. H
(2005). Discrepancies in the interpretation of clinical symptoms and signs in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. A proposal for standardization. Mult Scler
11: 227-231
[Abstract]
Villar, L. M., Masjuan, J., Sadaba, M. C., Gonzalez-Porque, P., Plaza, J., Bootello, A., Alvarez-Cermeno, J. C.
(2005). Early Differential Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis Using a New Oligoclonal Band Test. Arch Neurol
62: 574-577
[Abstract][Full Text]
Freedman, M S, Francis, G S, Sanders, E A., Rice, G P., O'Connor, P, Comi, G, Duquette, P, Metz, L, Murray, T J, Bouchard, J-P, Abramsky, O, Pelletier, J, O'Brien, F, OWIMS Study Group, , University of British Columbia MS/MRI Research Gro,
(2005). Randomized study of once-weekly interferon {beta}-1a therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis: three-year data from the OWIMS study. Mult Scler
11: 41-45
[Abstract]
O'Rourke, K E., Hutchinson, M
(2005). Stopping beta-interferon therapy in multiple sclerosis: an analysis of stopping patterns. Mult Scler
11: 46-50
[Abstract]
Bakshi, R., Hutton, G. J., Miller, J. R., Radue, E.-W.
(2004). The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and long-term management of multiple sclerosis. Neurology
63: S3-S11
[Abstract][Full Text]
Stuart, W. H., Cohan, S., Richert, J. R., Achiron, A.
(2004). Selecting a disease-modifying agent as platform therapy in the long-term management of multiple sclerosis. Neurology
63: S19-S27
[Abstract][Full Text]
Vartanian, T. K., Zamvil, S. S., Fox, E., Sorensen, P. S.
(2004). Neutralizing antibodies to disease-modifying agents in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Neurology
63: S42-S49
[Abstract][Full Text]
Espejo, C, Brieva, L, Ruggiero, G, Rio, J, Montalban, X, Martinez-Caceres, E M
(2004). IFN-{beta} treatment modulates the CD28/CTLA-4-mediated pathway for IL-2 production in patients with relapsing -remitting multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
10: 630-635
[Abstract]
The North American Study Group on Interferon beta-,
(2004). Interferon beta-1b in secondary progressive MS: Results from a 3-year controlled study. Neurology
63: 1788-1795
[Abstract][Full Text]
Gneiss, C, Reindl, M, Lutterotti, A, Ehling, R, Egg, R, Khalil, M, Berger, T, Deisenhammer, F
(2004). Interferon-beta: the neutralizing antibody (NAb) titre predicts reversion to NAb negativity. Mult Scler
10: 507-510
[Abstract]
Vollmer, T L, Phillips, J T, Goodman, A D, Agius, M A, Libonati, M A, Giacchino, J L, Grundy, J S
(2004). An open-label safety and drug interaction study of natalizumab (AntegrenTM) in combination with interferon-beta (Avonex(R)) in patients with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler
10: 511-520
[Abstract]
Achiron, A., Kishner, I., Sarova-Pinhas, I., Raz, H., Faibel, M., Stern, Y., Lavie, M., Gurevich, M., Dolev, M., Magalashvili, D., Barak, Y.
(2004). Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment Following the First Demyelinating Event Suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Arch Neurol
61: 1515-1520
[Abstract][Full Text]
Uitdehaag, B. M. J., Geurts, J. J. G., Barkhof, F., Polman, C. H., Goodin, D. S., Frohman, E. M.
(2004). The utility of MRI in suspected MS: Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee. Neurology
63: 1140-1140
[Full Text]