Interferon β-1b, a stable analog of human interferon-βproduced by recombinant DNA
technique, is the first biotechnology product to be licensed under the FDA's accelerated
approval regulation. It is the first drug available for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple
sclerosis (MS). The mechanism of action of interferon β-1b in MS remains unknown. It has
shown immunoregulatory properties including its ability to decrease T-cell proliferation, to
block the synthesis of interferonγthat may be involved in MS, to inhibit release of other
cytokines that damage oligodendrocytes, and to increase T suppresser-cell activity.
Interferonβ-1b has also demonstrated potential in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, genital
warts, hepatitis, rhinovirus, and several types of malignant tumors.
