Early treatment 'can hold back MS'

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The finding will fuel controversy over MS treatment which has centred on the drug, a natural protein that affects the immune system.

Many patients are currently denied beta interferon because there is no evidence that it reliably reduces long-term progression of MS.

The drug is expensive, costing around £10,000 a year per patient. In 2002 it became a symbol of NHS rationing after a final ruling from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which advises on the value for money of treatments, that it was not cost effective.

Nice found that beta interferon helped some patients but not others, and there was no way of predicting who would benefit.

As a compromise solution a "risk sharing" scheme was agreed in 2002 between the Department of Health and the drug companies. It means certain patients prone to relapses can qualify for beta interferon on condition that the NHS is refunded if the treatment fails.

The new research from Switzerland looked at the effect of early treatment with beta interferon at a stage when symptoms of MS are only just starting to show themselves.

During the Benefit (Betaferon in Newly Emerging MS For Initial Treatment) trial, 292 patients who had shown early symptoms of MS were given beta interferon injections while 176 others received an inactive placebo.

The treatment went on for two years, or until a definitive diagnosis of MS (clinically definite multiple sclerosis, or CDMS). All the patients taking part were then offered beta interferon for up to five years while their progress was monitored.

After three years, early use of beta interferon was found to have delayed progression to CDMS by 41%. In addition, fewer patients developed disabilities when their initial symptoms were treated with beta interferon. The chances of becoming disabled were reduced by 40% for patients who received early treatment.