title: Apolipoprotein alleles and the response to interferon-β-1b in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Results for the e4/e2 alleles of the ApoE gene as markers of susceptibility, clinical and radiological progression, and cognitive deterioration in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are contradictory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The usefulness of these markers in predicting the response to interferon-β-1b (IFNβ-1b) was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  95 patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with IFNβ-1b (mean follow-up 7.44 years) were studied. We correlated the e4 and e2 alleles with the time to the first relapse or to a 1-point worsening on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, time to moderate disability, progression index, and treatment discontinuation due to inefficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no association between the e4 allele and any of the variables. The e2 allele was associated with increased time to moderate disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The e4 allele of ApoE has no prognostic value for the response to IFNβ-1b. The e2 allele delayed the progression of disability in our MS patient cohort.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain. occodina@gmail.com
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masuet
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alía
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moral
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alonso-Magdalena
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casado
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martín-Ozaeta
authors.forename: Txomin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arbizu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta