Objective:To compare interferon -1b (IFN-1b) and glatiramer acetate (GA) on new lesion (NL) (gadolinium-enhancing, new T2) evolution into permanent black holes (PBH)-a marker of irreversible tissue damage-in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).Methods: BEYOND was a large, phase III, clinical trial comparing IFN-1b 250 g, IFN-1b 500 g, and GA (2:2:1). Patient scans were reexamined post hoc for PBH in a rater-blinded manner. Two predefined coprimary endpoints compared IFN-1b 250 g with GA: first, number of PBH per patient at year 2 evolving from year 1 NL, then proportion of year 1 NL evolving into PBH at year 2. IFN-1b 500 g and GA were compared in an exploratory fashion.Results: Approximately 90% (1,957/2,244) of patients had NL at year 1 with follow-up at year 2. Mean numbers of PBH per patient at year 2 evolving from year 1 NL were lower for IFN-1b 250 g than GA (0.30 vs 0.43; p ϭ 0.0451). The proportion of NL evolving into PBH was similar (IFN-1b 250 g vs GA: 21.6% vs 23.5%; p Ͼ 0.20). For IFN-1b 500 g, both the mean PBH number per patient at year 2 evolving from year 1 NL (0.26 vs 0.43; p ϭ 0.0037) and proportion of NL evolving into PBH (16.3% vs 23.5%; p ϭ 0.0409) were lower relative to GA.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.