Use
Interferon beta-1b, Betaseron, is a protein that is expressedin a recombinant E. coli. It is equivalent in type to the interferonthat is expressed by human fibroblasts. In addition to its antiviralactivity, interferon beta-1b possesses immunomodulatingactivity.Interferon beta-1b is administered SC to decrease the frequencyof clinical exacerbation in ambulatory patients withrelapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). RRMS ischaracterized by unpredictable attacks resulting in neurologicaldeficits, separated by variable periods of remission.Although it is not possible to delineate the mechanismsby which interferon beta-1b exerts its activity in MS, it isknown that the interferon binds to specific receptors on cellsurfaces and induces the expression of several interferoninducedgene products, such as 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetaseand protein kinase. Additionally, interferon beta-1bblocks the synthesis of INF-γ, which is believed to be involvedin MS attacks.