MS research update - 26 March 2010
- Study suggests blood test might show who will respond to interferon beta
- Natalizumab combined with interferon beta reduces disease activity on MRI
Study suggests blood test might show who will respond to interferon beta
Interferon beta is a standard disease modifying drug used in the treatment of relapsing remitting MS. Research and clinical experience has shown that some people respond better to interferon beta than others, but as yet there is no way of predicting this.
This study analysed data of 26 people with relapsing remitting MS who had been treated with interferon beta. Researchers took blood samples of each study participant and tested it for levels of a particular immune system protein. Blood samples were then matched against data that showed how well or poorly people responded to interferon beta. Analysis of the results showed that people with a high concentration of the protein had responded poorly to interferon beta treatment while those with lower levels had responded better.
The study authors acknowledge that the results need to be confirmed in a larger study population but highlight the potential significance of these findings in terms of developing a simple blood test that might be able to distinguish between responders and non-responders to interferon beta therapy.
Axtell RC, de Jong BA, Boniface K, et al.
T helper type 1 and 17 cells determine efficacy of interferon-β in multiple sclerosis and experimental encephalomyelitis.
Nature Medicine 2010; [Epub ahead of print].
View abstract
Natalizumab combined with interferon beta reduces disease activity on MRI
SENTINEL was a two-year study of 1,171 people taking interferon beta 1a (Avonex) who continued to experience disease activity. Participants received either natalizumab (Tysabri) or placebo in addition to interferon beta 1a. Results previously reported suggest that the addition of natalizumab resulted in a significant reduction in relapses and rate of progression. This research paper presents previously unreported MRI findings of the study.
Over two years, 67% of people receiving natalizumab in combination with interferon beta therapy remained free of new or enlarging T2 lesions (areas of damage identifiable using a specific MRI technique) compared with 30% of people receiving interferon beta 1a alone. Less active inflammation and less tissue loss was also seen in the group receiving combined treatment compared with the group receiving interferon beta and placebo.
Radue EW, Stuart WH, Calabresi PA, et al.
Natalizumab plus interferon beta-1a reduces lesion formation in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Journal of Neurological Sciences 2010 [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract