Definition of "beta-interferon" []

• A family of glycoproteins that are produced by fibroblasts, have antiviral properties, and are used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Gilenya has been available in the European Union since March 2011 for treating relapsing-remitting MS, the most common type of the disease, in patients who have failed to respond to a beta-interferon or whose condition is severe and worsening rapidly."
• "One pathway corresponded to people who respond to beta-interferon, the other to people who don't."
• "The researchers, led by Lawrence Steinman and Robert C. Axtell of Stanford's neurology department, concluded that a simple blood test could indicate which patients were most likely to benefit from beta-interferon, which minimizes the relapses suffered by some MS patients."