cladribine + interferon-beta

Cladribine + interferon-beta is an investigational combination therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, specifically studied in patients experiencing active disease while on interferon-beta. **Cladribine** is an oral purine nucleoside analog that selectively reduces B and T lymphocytes, targeting immune cells involved in MS pathogenesis, resulting in lymphocyte depletion and immune modulation. **Interferon-beta** acts by balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, reducing immune cell infiltration, and promoting neuroprotection. The ONWARD Phase 2 study (NCT00436826) showed that the combination of cladribine tablets (3.5 mg/kg cumulative dose) with interferon-beta lowered relapse rates and reduced MRI-detected lesion activity, but led to a higher rate of lymphopenia compared to interferon-beta alone. The combination is not a marketed fixed-dose product, and use of both drugs together is not generally recommended due to increased hematologic toxicity[1][3][5].

Other names

cladribine and interferon-betacladribine plus interferon-beta