title: Cytokines as Biomarkers of Treatment Response to IFN β in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: Background. MS patients show a remarkable heterogeneity in their response to disease modifying treatments. Given the need for early treatment initiation and the diversity of available options, a predictive marker that indicates good or poor response to treatment is highly desirable. Objective. To find a biomarker for treatment response to IFNβ among pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Materials and Methods. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and TGF-β1 levels were measured in serum and CSF of 43 patients with RR-MS who were followed up for a mean period of 5.3 years. Thirty-five patients received IFNβ treatment and were divided into good responders (GR, n = 19) and poor responders (PR, n = 16). The remaining 8 patients showed a very favorable outcome and remained untreated (noRx). Results. GR had significantly higher serum baseline levels of IL-17A than PR and significantly higher serum levels of IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 than noRx. PR had significantly higher IFN-γ serum levels than noRx. No significant differences were observed in serum levels of IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β1 or the levels of all cytokines measured in CSF between the 3 groups of patients. Conclusions. Baseline serum levels of IL-17A can be used as a biomarker of IFNβ treatment response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Patras University Hospital, 26500 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1765-3211
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dimisianos
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodi
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1853-9368
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kalavrizioti
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasileios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Patras University Hospital, 26500 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papathanasopoulos
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mouzaki