A Report of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated by Cinnovex™ in Iran



Etemadifar M¹ ; Mazdeh M² ; Torabi HR³ ; Ghaffarpour M⁴ ; Azimian M⁴ ; Shahkarami SMA⁵
Source: Tehran University Medical Journal Published:2010

Abstract

Background: Recent studies present a high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran. Treatment with interferon is now the first choice in management of MS. CinnoVex™ (an interferon beta 1-a) is available in Iran, with achievement of the technology of producing beta interferon. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CinnoVex™ in a national study named CINA study. Methods: This study was conducted from 2007 to 2008 in cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Shiraz. Patients with relapsing/remitting MS with 16-50 years of age and EDSS of <4 received CinnoVex™ (30μg/week, IM) after diagnosis by a neurologist. EDSS, drug side effects, and frequency of relapse were evaluated for one year in four 3-month visits. Results: A total of 1050 patients entered the study. Complete data were collected from 627 (60%) patients. Mean age was 30.7±8.6 year and 514 (82%) were female. The most common onset presentations were sensory symptoms (44%). Changes of EDSS through the study showed a significant decrease in the last 3-month of evaluation (p<0.05). Drug side effects were observed in 47%, 50%, 61%, and 61.4% (p>0.05) and relapse was occurred in 13.4%, 15.7%, 16.9%, and 2.4% of the patients in the first, second, third, and forth evaluation visits (p=0.001), respectively. Conclusion: CinnoVex™ prevents progression and improves clinical course of MS. The conventional side effects of beta interferon therapy, however, are observed with CinnoVex™.