Intended Use: For the treatment of RRMS and secondary progressive MS.
Profile of User: People with either a clinical diagnosis of RRMS or secondary progressive MS who have had two relapses in the last two years.
What It Is: Beta interferons are a group of proteins that occur naturally in the body. Betaseron (interferon beta 1-b) is almost identical to the natural protein and is produced by delivering a segment of human DNA that contains the gene for interferon beta-1b in to Escherichia Coli, a bacteria, that clones or produces the protein.
How It Works: Interferons regulate the body’s immune system, fight viruses, and have some effect on the blood-brain barrier. Betaseron is thought to work with the beta interferons that naturally occur in the body when the immune system is activated. It works by blocking immune activating effects of gama interferons (gama interferons increase immune response that attacks myelin in MS patients), and is thought to prevent immuno-cells that attack the myelin from crossing the blood-brain barrier
History: - Interferons identified in 1957. - In 1980, scientists begin developing interferons for therapeutic use. - In 1981, Dr. David Mark, a researcher at the American Biotech company Cetus Corporation, clones the beta interferon gene. - Dr. Leo Lin, also with Cetus Corporation, alters the shape of the beta protein, making it more active than the first cloned beta interferons, and interferon beta- 1b is created. - In 1991 a three year, multi-center trial is completed. - In the United States in June 1993 the FDA approves Betaseron for the treatment RRMS United States. - The Federal Health Protection Branch approves Betaseron in Canada for the treatment of RRMS in July 1995. - In June of 1999, Betaseron is approved for the treatment of secondary-progressive MS.
Benefits: Reduces the number and severity of attacks in both RRMS and secondary progressive MS by about 1/3. It reduces the new or recurrent lesions, reduces enlargement of lesions, and reduces the number of active lesions
Side Effects/Disadvantages: - Flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle ache, nausea, headache, and fatigue. - Injection site reactions including itching, redness, pain, and swelling. - All interferons may cause fluctuations of liver enzymes, and lowering of the white blood-cell count. - Some users of interferons develop neutralizing antibodies (NABs) which interfere with or neutralize the effects of interferon treatment - Depression has been linked to interferon treatment. - (flu-like side effects and injection site reactions should lessen after continued use).
Hmmm well you wanted to know! Next, Avonex calling! Love you Steph! And yes Having a beer(or two) for you here! Its so warm here I can hardly move, good job steph is doing all the work!hehe! Saw Bobbeh this weekend and he gave me the album for Tool:10,000 Days, It is amazing and it was great to see you again dont make it so long next time! Hope your all dealing with the heat and your all well! Dave
Name: personallog! Home: St. Annes, Lancashire, United Kingdom About Me:
I am 6ft 3" skinny and not well. I was diagnosed with ms in 2004 and I would like to speak with others who have ms. I have a want to raise money for ms charities. We have to find a cure for this hell!!!!
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