Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00168766

Avonex (Interferon-beta-1a) and Avonex Plus Methylprednisolone for the Treatment of Relapsing-remitting MS

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether combination treatment (adding methylprednisolone to Avonex) reduces progression of disability over 4 years compared to Avonex alone. The study will also investigate whether combination therapy has any impact on the incidence of relapse and brain atrophy as measured by MRI.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Immune System Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting Nervous System Diseases

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

CUB Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium

Loading trial locations.

About this study

Approximately 340 therapy-naïve MS patients with relapsing-remitting form of the disease will be randomized to receive Avonex alone or Avonex plus methylprednisolone (MP). Patients will receive MP as 500 mg po for 3 days every month or matching placebo. The patients are followed on a 3-monthly basis for 4 years with disability as the primary parameter of efficacy over that time.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Informed consent
  • Relapsing remitting MS according to Poser criteria or McDonell criteria and naïve to therapy
  • Disability EDSS score of 4.0 or less at baseline
  • Clinical activity as defined by at least one relapse in the last year

Exclusion criteria

  • Relapse in the month prior to enrolment
  • Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs for MS
  • History of major depression
  • Former severe reactions to corticosteroids
  • Pregnant women
  • Diabetes mellitus, and drug or alcohol dependency
  • Known or suspected allergy to trial products

Treatment and study plan

Interferon-beta-1a (Avonex) plus methylprednisolone

Drug

oral administration given on 3 consecutive days, monthly as described in protocol.

Other names: Avonex

Primary outcomes

  1. To estimate the effect interferon-beta-1a in combination with methylprednisolone vs interferon-beta-1a in combination with placebo on the time to onset of disability progression sustained over at least 6 months based on change from randomization in EDSS

    Time frame: 4 years

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Biogen

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Group Trial Investigating Methylprednisolone in Combination With Interferon-beta-1a for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Important dates

Study start
2003
Primary completion
2008
Study completion
2008
First posted
Sep 15, 2005
Registry last updated
Sep 16, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.