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NEUROLOGY 2003;61:S31-S34
© 2003 American Academy of Neurology

Neurology supplements are not peer-reviewed. Information contained in Neurology supplements represent the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views of the American Academy of Neurology, Editor-in-Chief, or Associate Editors of Neurology.

Biologic impact of interferon antibodies, and complexities in assessing their clinical significance

Richard A. Rudick, MD

From the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Richard A. Rudick, Area U100 (Mellen Center), Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195; e-mail: rudickr{at}ccf.org

The relevance of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to interferon-ß (IFNß) for patients with MS treated with IFNß injections has been controversial. Published data from several double-blind, randomized clinical trials demonstrate that disease activity in IFNß-treated patients with MS is similar to placebo-treated patients within the same study. This observation is easily understood by other studies that demonstrate attenuation of the biologic response to IFNß injections in patients who are NAb positive. Because of the period over which antibodies develop, however, studies will demonstrate an impact of IFNß NAb only after the initial 18 months of therapy. Further, because the effects of IFNß on MS disease activity and progression are partial, large sample sizes are required to demonstrate clinical correlates of NAb. Therapeutic decisions related to disease management for patients with MS must consider IFNß NAb.






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