Smoking and risk of treatment-induced neutralizing antibodies to interferon β-1a.
BACKGROUND
Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to interferon β (IFNβ) products that develop during treatment are associated with a loss of clinical efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of smoking habits on the risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ, in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
This report is based on 695 MS patients treated with IFNβ-1a, included in two Swedish case-control studies that collected information on smoking habits. Using logistic regression, the development of NAbs to IFNβ-1a among current smokers was compared with that of non-smokers, by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).


RESULTS
Current smokers showed an increased risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ-1a, compared with non-smokers (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3-2.8; p = 0.002). There were no gender differences. We observed no association between past smoking and the risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ-1a.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding that current smokers have an increased risk of developing NAbs to IFNβ-1a has implications, both for the practical care and the treatment of MS; it also provides an interesting perspective of the lungs as an immune-reactive organ, reacting upon irritation.
Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Anna Karin
AK
Hedström
Malin
M
Ryner
Katarina
K
Fink
Anna
A
Fogdell-Hahn
Lars
L
Alfredsson
Tomas
T
Olsson
Jan
J
Hillert
D000328:Adult; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology
D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a
Beta-interferon; immunology; lungs; multiple sclerosis; neutralizing antibody; risk; smoking; snuff; tobacco use