title: Neutralising antibodies to interferon beta in multiple sclerosis : expert panel report.
abstract: 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.
authors: Dept. of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. hans-peter.hartung@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors: Hans-P
authors: HP
authors: Hartung
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Polman
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Bertolotto
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Deisenhammer
authors: Gavin
authors: G
authors: Giovannoni
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Havrdova
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Hemmer
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Hillert
authors: Ludwig
authors: L
authors: Kappos
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Kieseier
authors: Joep
authors: J
authors: Killestein
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Malcus
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Comabella
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Pachner
authors: Huub
authors: H
authors: Schellekens
authors: Finn
authors: F
authors: Sellebjerg
authors: Krysztof
authors: K
authors: Selmaj
authors: Per Soelberg
authors: PS
authors: Sorensen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D016899:Interferon-beta