INTERFERON-BETA AND MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is the first therapeutic intervention shown to alter the natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS), a relapsing then progressive inflammatory degenerative disease of the CNS. Since p ublication of the first randomized placebo-controlled trial of IFN-bet a, and subsequent acquisition of US and European product licences for use in relapsing-remitting MS, the hopes and expectations of patients have been elevated greatly only to be dampened as more critical analys is of the trial results, in conjunction with the cost of treatment, le d to marked limitations on prescription in several countries. IFN-beta is not a cure. Here we review what is known about the mechanisms of a ction of IFN-beta in demyelinating disease, and propose a possible mod el of action of IFN-beta in the treatment of MS.