Interferon beta nervous system

Floris S, Ruuls SR, Wierinckx A, van der Pol SM, Dopp E, van der Meide PH, Dijkstra CD, De Vries HE (2002) Interferon-beta directly influences monocyte infiltration into the central nervous system. J Neuroimmunol 127 69-79... 

In 24 cases of Raynaud s syndrome, interferon alfa was the causative agent in 14, interferon beta in 3, and interferon gamma in 5 (32). There was no consistent delay in onset and the duration of treatment before the occurrence of symptoms ranged from 2 weeks to more than 4 years. The most severe cases were complicated by digital artery occlusion and necrosis requiring amputation. Few patients had other ischemic symptoms, such as myocardial, ophthalmic, central nervous system, or muscular manifestations. Severe Raynaud s phenomenon was also reported in a 5-year-old girl with hepatitis C (33). 

Although direct toxic effects of natural interferon beta on the nervous system have been regarded as a possible risk of intraventricular and/or intratumoral injection (14), interferon beta is considered to be markedly less neurotoxic than interferon alfa (15). 

Matsumura S, Takamatsu H, Sato S, Ara S. [Central nervous system toxicity of local interferon-beta therapy. Report of three cases.] Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 1988 28 (3) 265-70. 

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