Predictive factors of neutralizing antibodies development in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients on interferon Beta-1b therapy

Neurol Sci. 2011 Apr;32(2):287-92. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0483-x. Epub 2011 Feb 10.

Abstract

The identification of predictive factors of NAbs development might have a relevant impact on clinical practice. Our objective is to look after predictive factors of NAbs development in MS IFN Beta-1b-treated patients. Database was screened for patients on IFN Beta-1b treatment with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at a baseline between 1 and 3.5, disease duration shorter than 15 years, and NAbs analysis performed every 6 months. The NAbs positive status was analysed in relation to baseline clinical, neuropsychological and brain imaging measures. Forty-nine patients were included. Sixteen patients had become NAbs positive at some point on IFN therapy (35%). NAbs producers differed from not producers for higher incidence of cognitive deficit and higher lesion load (OR = 5.0 and 5.6, respectively). Our study suggests that NAbs development might be a marker of a more aggressive disease and that worse outcome in NAbs producers might be biased by baseline condition.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / biosynthesis*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Interferon beta-1b
  • Interferon-beta