Biomarkers for interferon response in MS

摘要

Randomized,placebo-controlled studies have firmly established interferon beta (IFNbeta) as standard therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Many MS experts believe that early and continuous treatment with IFNbeta reduces brain inflammation, irreversible CNS injury, and brain atrophy in RRMS, and reduces permanent neurologic disability. The use of IFN beta preparations has expanded to worldwide annual sales exceeding Dollars 4 billion USD. However, IFN/3 is only partially effective (e.g.,relapse rates are reduced by about 30%), so many patients have relapses, new MRI lesions while on treatment, and patients may become increasingly disabled with time. There are no sensitive, validated clinical markers of treatment response for individual patients. How is the neurologist to decide whether a patient is responding to treatment? Objective, practical markers of IFNbeta pharmacologic response would be extremely helpful to guide therapy#