Betaseron in Early relapsing-remitting MS Surveillance Trial (BEST) is a 5-year, international study of people with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with interferon beta-1b.Two-year data from the study were recently reported. Researchers found that Betaseron treatment was associated with a reduced relapse rate in patients with early MS. In addition, a majority of patients experienced no relapses or disease progression.5
Earlier studies, such as Controlled High-Risk Subjects Avonex® Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study (CHAMPS) and Early Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (ETOMS) trial showed that in patients with CIS and abnormal MRI readings, interferon beta-1a delayed the progression to CDMS and reduced disease activity as measured on MRI.6,7
A relapsing MS trial called Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon beta-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis (PRISMS) showed that patients initially treated with placebo who were switched to Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) after 2 years never achieved the same degree of benefit as those patients receiving Rebif from the start of the trial.8
What Are the Long-term Benefits of Early Treatment?
All of these studies demonstrate the importance of early treatment of MS with a disease-modifying therapy. However, another question is whether the benefits of treating MS earlier continue to be seen in the longer term, according to Patricia Coyle, MD, Director of the Stony Brook MS Comprehensive Care Center in New York. Ninety-five percent of the participants from the first part of the BENEFIT trial (the 2-year phase) will participate in an open-label phase of the study in which they will be followed for 3 additional years, she explains. “This will provide us with 5-year data measuring clinical, MRI, and cognitive outcomes comparing those who have been on Betaseron for the entire 5 years with those whose treatment was initiated later on.” However, she adds, given the positive results of early treatment in clinical trials, it is still recommended that treatment with a disease-modifying therapy begin as soon as possible.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.multiplesclerosis.com)
