dignan, about alferon

[DS]

Here's an update:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/conf ... ill_en.pdf , see p 17

Alferon N, or interferon alfa N-3, is in phase IIa testing by Hemispherx Biopharma. This form of interferon is derived from human leukocytes and contains at least 14 alpha interferon molecules. In a retrospective, uncontrolled study, brain MRI with gadolinium contrast enhancement was performed in 69 patients treated with MS, including 38 who declined treatment with interferon alfa-n3, and 31 who were treated with subcutaneous interferon alfa-n3 for three to six months. MRI revealed gaolinium enhanced lesions in two of 31 patients (6%) treated with interferon alfa-n3, and in 14 of 38 patients (37%) in the untreated group. During a mean follow-up of 11 months, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score decreased in the interferon alfa-n3 treated group from 4.8 to 3.4, reflecting less disability, but mean mean score in the untreated group increased from 3.8 to 4.5. However, prospective, controlled trials are needed to obtain regulatory approval.

I was wondering, are there MS drugs on the market where they didn't look at the amount of flare-ups patients experience in those clinical trials?
MRI tests are crucial in my opinion but the the primary endpoint in the trials isn't that the amount of flare-ups?

Dignan, make sure you take a look at the pdf, MS starts on p 15 and there's a very nice overview of what's in trials right now! Enjoy.