Placebo vs. interferon-beta in combination with mycophenolate

24 treatment-naïve RRMS patients participated in a 1 year prospective safety study. There were no differences were identified between the two treatment groups with respect to patient-reported adverse events or laboratory abnormalities. The combination treatment regimen of interferon beta-1a and mycophenolate was well tolerated.

The investigators conclude: "Despite the small sample size, therapeutic trends were observed in favor of combination therapy. An adequately powered controlled trial of mycophenolate in MS appears warranted."

Remington et al. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2010 Jan;3(1):3-13.

I couldn't agree more with the investigators; given the current dogma concerning the autoimmune pathogenesis of MS, mycophenolate should be given a chance. The problem is that with the imminent launch of several oral therapies, will it be possible to design an affordable trial to test mycophenolate in RRMS? I suspect not!