Amelioration of flulike symptoms at the onset of interferon beta-1b therapy in multiple sclerosis by low-dose oral steroids is related to a decrease in interleukin-6 induction.
Low-dose oral steroid use at the onset of interferon beta-1b (IFNbeta-1b) therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients reduces flulike symptoms. To determine the mechanism by which steroid treatment minimizes these side effects, we analyzed the percentage of interleukin-6 (IL-6)-, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-, and IL-10-producing cells before and after 3 months of IFNbeta-1b therapy onset. Our results support a relationship between IL-6 induction and fever. Such side effects can be ameliorated by steroids.
Unitat de Neuroimmunologia Clínica, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
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EM
Martínez-Cáceres
J
J
Río
M
M
Barrau
I
I
Durán
C
C
Borrás
M
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Tintoré
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X
Montalban
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005334:Fever / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
D000082:Acetaminophen; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011241:Prednisone; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors