Combining Therapies With Interferon Beta for Relapsing and Early Progressive MS: A Review

Interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b are approved treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). However, many patients experience disease activity despite appropriate use of these biologic therapies. When disease activity occurs during treatment with one of these agents, physicians can consider adding one or more treatments. Therapies that could be combined with interferon beta are reviewed, and practical issues in their use are discussed. None of the agents discussed have been rigorously tested in combination with interferon beta, and physicians are reminded that combination therapy may aggravate MS or cause delayed injury to other organ systems. Multicentered, scientifically valid clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of interferon beta combined with other therapies for the treatment of MS. Whenever possible, patients needing combined therapy should be referred to a site conducting clinical trials of such therapy. (Int J MS Care. 2002; 4: 50–65)