Beta interferons as immunotherapy in multiple sclerosis: a new outlook on a classic drug during the COVID-19 pandemic

Beta interferons (IFN-beta) are pleiotropic cytokines with antiviral properties. They play important roles in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system. The clinical expression of MS is heterogeneous, with relapses of neuroinflammation and with disability accrual in considerable part unrelated to the attacks. The injectable recombinant IFN-beta preparations are the first approved disease-modifying treatments for MS. They have moderate efficacy in reducing the frequency of relapses, but good long-term cost-efficacy and safety profiles, so are still widely used. They have some tolerability and adherence issues, partly mitigated in recent years by the introduction of a PEGylated formulation and use of 'smart' autoinjector devices. Their general impact on long-term disability is modest but could be further improved by developing accurate tools for identifying the patient profile of best responders to IFN-beta. Here, we present the IFN-beta-based immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches in MS, highlighting their place in the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The potential role of IFN-beta in the treatment of COVID-19 is also briefly discussed.