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Combining Doxycycline and Beta-Interferon May Slow MS Progression

December 12th, 2007 | by Timothy Kintzel, M.D. |

A recent small study is the latest in a series of investigations looking at the efficacy of combining the well known generic antibiotic, doxycycline with B-interferon (brand name Avonex) in slowing the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  The study described at a recent European MS society meeting and to be soon published, showed that patients taking the combination of the drugs for four months experienced an average reduction of greater than 25% of brain lesions (an indicator of MS disease activity).  This was a very small study (15 patients),was funded by the drug manufacturer of Avonex (Biogen, Inc), and had some other flaws, however several other small studies over the last two years have showed promise in this combination therapy. The authors state that the time is right to perform larger-scale studies with this drug combination.

Reference: Clinical Trials