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  • Title: Neutralizing antibodies against interferon β: fluctuation is modest and titre dependent.
    Author: Sominanda A, Hillert J, Fogdell-Hahn A.
    Journal: Eur J Neurol; 2009 Jan; 16(1):21-6. PubMed ID: 18727672.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neutralizing antibody (NAb) titres may vary over time and thereby some patients can either lose or regain therapeutic effect of interferon beta (IFNbeta). We assessed NAb titres in a large sample of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to identify the pattern of fluctuation during 1-3 years. METHODS: Data from IFNbeta-treated MS patients who had been tested for NAbs twice (n = 822) were analysed. NAb titres were compared between the first and the second samples across the critical NAb level of 150 TRU/ml, which we have previously reported to correlate with loss of bioactivity. RESULTS: Of patients with NAb titres high enough to indicate loss of bioactivity (>150 TRU/ml) in the first analysis 15% showed titres low enough to indicate a regained bioactivity. Conversely, 6% of those without detectable NAbs or NAb titres below the critical level of 150 TRU/ml had shifted to titres above this limit, indicating potential loss of bioactivity. Fluctuation did not differ between IFNbeta preparation used, treatment duration or sampling interval. CONCLUSION: A first NAb test is prognostic for the NAb status during the coming 1-3 years. Choice of IFNbeta preparation had no influence on the chance of reverting to lower levels once NAb titres are high.
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