[Neutralizing antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b].
BACKGROUND
Neutralising antibodies (NABs) against interferon beta have been described in one third of patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta. We have analysed the frequency of NABs and their clinical consequences.


METHODS
We have studied 68 patients. NABs were determined by protein A Myxovirus assay.


RESULTS
Positive NABs were detected in 13% of the patients after 2 years of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
It does not seem to exist a relationship between presence of NABs and a poor evolution of the disease in our patients with multiple sclerosis treated with beta interferon.
Río
J
J
Unidad de Neuroinmunología Clínica, Hospital General Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona. jri@hg.vhebron.es
Barberà
N
N
Tintoré
M
M
Brieva
L
L
Montalbán
X
X
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta