Interferon beta-1b
Encyclopedia
Interferon beta-1b is a drug
in the interferon
family used to treat the relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive forms of multiple sclerosis
(MS). It is approved for use after the first MS event. It is administered by sub-cutaneous injection and has been shown to slow the advance of the affliction as well as reduce the frequency of attacks.
It is believed that interferon-beta based drugs achieve their beneficial effect on MS progress via their anti-inflammatory
properties. Studies have also determined that interferon-beta improves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier
(BBB)—which generally breaks down in MS patients, allowing increasing amounts of undesirable substances to reach the brain. This strengthening of the BBB may be a contributing factor to interferon-beta's beneficial effects. These studies were carried out in vitro
, so it does not necessarily mean it works the same in people.
Patients taking Interferon beta-1b may develop neutralizing antibodies to the medication.
Reference link
Betaferon/Betaseron is marketed today by Bayer HealthCare
. The originator was Schering AG
(Berlex in North America), now part of Bayer HealthCare. Novartis
has also introduced Extavia, a new brand of interferon beta-1b, in 2009.
In 2010 ZIFERON (a new brand for interferon beta-1b) has also been brought in by Zistdaru Danesh
Ltd.
Closely related is interferon beta-1a
, also indicated for MS, and with a very similar drug profile.
Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
in the interferon
Interferon
Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...
family used to treat the relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive forms of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
(MS). It is approved for use after the first MS event. It is administered by sub-cutaneous injection and has been shown to slow the advance of the affliction as well as reduce the frequency of attacks.
It is believed that interferon-beta based drugs achieve their beneficial effect on MS progress via their anti-inflammatory
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
properties. Studies have also determined that interferon-beta improves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier
Blood-brain barrier
The blood–brain barrier is a separation of circulating blood and the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system . It occurs along all capillaries and consists of tight junctions around the capillaries that do not exist in normal circulation. Endothelial cells restrict the diffusion...
(BBB)—which generally breaks down in MS patients, allowing increasing amounts of undesirable substances to reach the brain. This strengthening of the BBB may be a contributing factor to interferon-beta's beneficial effects. These studies were carried out in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
, so it does not necessarily mean it works the same in people.
Patients taking Interferon beta-1b may develop neutralizing antibodies to the medication.
Reference link
Betaferon/Betaseron is marketed today by Bayer HealthCare
Bayer
Bayer AG is a chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in Barmen , Germany in 1863. It is headquartered in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and well known for its original brand of aspirin.-History:...
. The originator was Schering AG
Schering
Schering AG was a research-centered German pharmaceutical company. It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering and merged with Bayer's pharma sector in December 2006. The company's headquarters was in Berlin-Wedding, Germany...
(Berlex in North America), now part of Bayer HealthCare. Novartis
Novartis
Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
has also introduced Extavia, a new brand of interferon beta-1b, in 2009.
In 2010 ZIFERON (a new brand for interferon beta-1b) has also been brought in by Zistdaru Danesh
Zistdaru Danesh
Zistdaru Danesh Ltd. is a private pharmaceutical company which is located in the Pharmaceutical Incubator of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences and is active in the development, manufacturing and marketing of biopharmaceuticals...
Ltd.
Closely related is interferon beta-1a
Interferon beta-1a
Interferon beta-1a is a drug in the interferon family used to treat multiple sclerosis . It is produced by mammalian cells, while Interferon beta-1b is produced in modified E. coli. Interferons have been shown to produce about a 18–38% reduction in the rate of MS relapses, and to slow the...
, also indicated for MS, and with a very similar drug profile.