MxA protein--an interferon beta biomarker in primary progressive multiple sclerosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
Interferon beta (IFNbeta) preparations have some effect on the progressive phase of multiple sclerosis (MS). This limited effect might be partially because of a certain number of IFNbeta non-responders. Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA)--a marker of IFNbeta bioactivity--was correlated with the clinical response during an uncontrolled trial, investigating the safety of IFNbeta-1b in primary progressive (PPMS) patients.


METHODS
Twenty PPMS were treated with IFNbeta-1b (s.c.) for 1 year. Blood samples were taken before and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months after treatment initiation and MxA protein levels were measured. Patients were clinically evaluated by EDSS and the more sensitive Incapacity Status Scale (ISS) and stratified in a stable and a progressing group.


RESULTS
Using ISS criteria, 11 patients remained stable and nine patients progressed during treatment. The mean area under the curve of log MxA levels during treatment were significantly higher in stable than in progressing patients (10.87 vs. 5.99; P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
A good biological response to IFNbeta might be associated with a better clinical effect of this drug and could be helpful in future clinical studies for early identification of treatment responders.
Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
A
A
Millonig
A
A
Dressel
D
D
Bahner
A
A
Bitsch
T
T
Bogumil
E
E
Elitok
B
B
Kitze
H
H
Tumani
F
F
Weber
C
C
Gneiss
F
F
Deisenhammer
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015415:Biomarkers; C579071:MX1 protein, human; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins