Sistema Nervioso Central

sobre y

Interferón Citoquinas

on

and

Interferon Cytokines

International Symposium

La Habana, Cuba. Diciembre 2-5, 2001

Havana, Cuba. December 2-5, 2001

En el presente simposio pretendemos discutir algunos de los temas relacionados con el fascinante mundo de las citoquinas y el Sistema Nervioso , presentar los resultados de investigadores que con su desvelo hacen posibledesentrañar estos fenómenos y llevarlos a la luz del conocimiento. This symposium is devoted to discuss exciting topics of the intriguing and fascinating world of cytokines within the central nervous system. Indeed, it is also intended to present recent findings of deeply committed investigators that with their unspared endeavors have turn into knowledge the language of cytokines and neurons.Interferon Alpha 2b in Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Preliminary Report Tiempo de liberación de citocinas proinflamatorias en los sistemas nervioso central e inmune de ratas sometidas a shock endotóxico inducido por LPS Clinical Impact of Cytokine Regulation in Multiple Sclerosis Efecto protector de la Melatonina sobre los cambios en la permeabilidad de la barrera hemato encefálica y surelación con la presencia de TNF-α durante la isquemia-reperfusión en Gerbos de Mongolia (Meriones Unguiculatus) Evaluation of the Cognitive Sphere by Means of the Wave P-300 in the Multiple Sclerosis Farmacovigilancia intensiva del interferón α 2b recombinante en el tratamiento de la Eclerosis Múltiple Progama de rehabiliatción psicologíca y cognitiva para pacientes con Esclerosis Múltiple clínicadefinida en Cuba

E59

Biotecnología Aplicada 2001; Vol.18, Número Especial

SISTEMA NERVIOSO CENTRAL
61 61 62 62 63 63 64

Simposio Internacional

International Symposium on Interferon and Cytokines

Simposio Internacional sobre Interferón y Citoquinas

Interferon Alpha 2b in Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Preliminary Report
Cabrera-Gómez JA, Porrero P Aguilera O, BarriosM, Valenzuela C, López Saura P , , for the Cuban Multicenter Group for the Study of Interferon Alpha in Multiple Sclerosis
“Gustavo Aldereguía” Provincial Hospital, Cienfuegos; National Center for the Coordination of Clinical Trials, La Habana; Center for Biological Research, PO Box 6996, La Habana, Cuba. Fax: (53-7) 21 0553; E mail: pedro.porrero@ cigb.edu.cu

Interferon (IFN) beta isapproved in several countries for the treatment of relapsing remitting (RR) Multiple Sclerosis (MS). IFN’s alpha and beta have structural homology, bind to the same receptor, share many mechanistic features and behave similarly in MS animal models. Recent clinical trials with IFN alpha in MS have yielded encouraging results. This trial evaluates, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo/controlled fashion,the effect of IFN alpha2b in RR-MS. Patients with clinically definite RR-MS (Poser criteria), aged 18 – 50, ³ 2 relapses in the previous 2 years, disability score (EDSS) £ 6.5, and who give their written informed consent are included if they are relapse – free for at least 30 days and had not received immunosuppressor treatment within 6 months. They are randomized to receive twice per week,intramuscular placebo, or IFN alpha-2b (HEBERON Alfa R) 3 or 10 x 106 IU. Evaluation is done after 2 years. Main variables are relapse rate, proportion of relapse – free patients and changes in EDSS. An interim analysis was done without breaking the code; 62 patients have finished the 2-year treatment period. The 3 groups were equivalent in terms of demographic and baseline characteristics.

Thepreliminary results are as follows:
Placebo N
Relapses in the previous 2 years Relapse during the 2-years treatment period Relapse rate ntragroup paired analysis Relapse – free patients

IFN 3 MU 25
3.8 ± 2.4

IFN 10 MU 18
3.1 ± 1.4

19
3.4 ± 3.01

0.68 ± 1.2

0.65 ± 1.2

0.29 ± 0.6

p = 0.17

p = 0.003

p = 0.009

11(57.9%)

16 (69.6%)

13 (82.4%)

There seems to be a...