PEGYLATED INTERFERON BETA-1 A ( PLEGRIDY ) – Information for Healthcare Professionals

What were the findings in the pivotal trials of this medication? In the pivotal trial of peginterferon ( ADVANCE ), 1,512 people with relapsing-remitting MS were each randomly assigned to receive placebo injections, or injections of peginterferon 125 micrograms every 2 weeks, or placebo injections or injections of peginterferon 125 micrograms every 4 weeks. After one year, the subjects treated every 2 weeks had a 35.6% reduction in clinical relapses as compared with those who received placebo injections, and those who received treatment every 4 weeks had a 27.5% reduction as compared with those receiving placebo. New lesions on brain MRI were reduced in the treated groups by 67% and 28%, respectively; gadolinium (Gd)enhancing lesions were reduced by 86% in the group treated every 2 weeks, whereas the reduction of Gd-enhancing lesions in the group treated every 4 weeks was not statistically significant. The risk of disability progression was reduced by 38% in both treated groups. What is the mechanism of action and the rationale for its use in MS?