Neutralising antibodies to interferon beta in multiple sclerosis : expert panel report.
Interferon beta (IFNbeta) therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a potential for the development of neutralising antibodies (NAbs) that negatively affect therapy. Several factors influence the development of NAbs, such as lack of complete sequence homology with the endogenous IFNbeta sequence, frequency of administration, level of dose and formulation of IFNbeta. Taken together, the evidence that NAb status reduces clinical efficacy in MS patients is strong. Standardised assays for NAbs are lacking, and titres vary over time. NAb testing is a critical component of care for MS patients because it provides information on one of the most important factors determining clinical responsiveness to IFNbeta therapy. This expert panel report attempts to move the field towards resolution of the remaining issues and considers several aspects of NAbs, including their clinical relevance, factors influencing immunogenicity, assays to quantify NAbs and the definition of clinically relevant titres.
Hartung
Hans-P
HP
Dept. of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. hans-peter.hartung@uni-duesseldorf.de
Polman
Chris
C
Bertolotto
Antonio
A
Deisenhammer
Florian
F
Giovannoni
Gavin
G
Havrdova
Eva
E
Hemmer
Bernhard
B
Hillert
Jan
J
Kappos
Ludwig
L
Kieseier
Bernd
B
Killestein
Joep
J
Malcus
Christophe
C
Comabella
Manuel
M
Pachner
Andrew
A
Schellekens
Huub
H
Sellebjerg
Finn
F
Selmaj
Krysztof
K
Sorensen
Per Soelberg
PS
D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000592:standards
D000906:Antibodies; D016899:Interferon-beta