Immunological and short-term brain volume changes in relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1a subcutaneously three times weekly: an open-label two-arm trial

Background: Brain volume atrophy is observed in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: Brain volume changes were evaluated in 23 patients with RRMS treated with interferon beta-1a 44 mu g given subcutaneously (SC) three times a week (tiw) and 15 healthy controls. Percentages of whole brain and tissue-specific volume change were measured from baseline (0 months) to 3 months, from 3 to 6 months, and from baseline to 6 months using SIENAX Multi Time Point (SX-MTP) algorithms. Immunological status of patients was also determined and correlations between subsets of T cells and changes in brain volume were assessed. Results: Interferon beta-1a 44 mu g SC tiw in 23 patients with RRMS resulted in significant reductions in whole brain and gray matter tissue volume early in the treatment course (baseline to 3 months; mean change; -0.95 %; P = 0.030, -1.52 %; P = 0.004, respectively), suggesting a short-term treatment-induced pseudoatrophy effect. From baseline to 6 months, there were significant correlations observed between decreased T-cell expression of IL-17 F and decreased whole brain and brain tissue-specific volume. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the interpretation of the pseudoatrophy effect as resolution of inflammation following treatment initiation with interferon beta-1a 44 mu g SC tiw, rather than disease-related tissue loss.