Biological monitoring of IFN-β therapy in Multiple Sclerosis

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2015 Apr;26(2):241-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.12.002. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disease and a variable percentage of patients are non-responders to common treatment. Early diagnosis of non-responders allows change to a more useful therapy for the patient and better allocates a large amount of financial resources. Quantification of Neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) and of biological activity of IFN-β are recognized approaches to identify immuno-pharmacological non-responders. A consistent number of studies have demonstrated that quantification of Myxovirus-induced protein A (MxA) is a valid biomarker to detect immune-pharmacological non responders after one year of treatment. Persistent high titre of Nabs and absence of biological activity predict abolition of IFN-β effects in disease activity measured through MRI, number of relapses and disability. Guidelines and flow-charts including both Nabs and MxA quantification are presented.

Keywords: Biological activity; Interferon-β; Multiple Sclerosis; MxA; Nabs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / analysis
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Biomarkers
  • MX1 protein, human
  • Myxovirus Resistance Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Interferon-beta