Neutralising antibodies to interferon-beta therapy in
relapsing multiple sclerosis: a pilot study
AYL Lau1, E Chan2, KK Lau3,
V Mok1, DYW Siu4, R Lee4
1 Department of Medicine and
Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2 Department of Pathology, Queen Mary
Hospital
3 Department of Medicine, Princess
Margaret Hospital
4 Department of Imaging and
Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital
1. In a cohort of Chinese patients with multiple
sclerosis who received interferon-beta for ≥9 months, binding antibodies
to interferon-beta was found in 78% of patients, whereas neutralising
antibodies (NAB) were found in 28% of patients, based on an ELISA-based
MxA protein induction assay.
2. Patients with NAB are six times more likely to respond poorly to interferon-beta, as evidenced by multiple relapses and extensive activity on magnetic resonance imaging.
3. MxA gene induction and protein induction assays are reliable screening and confirmatory tests for NAB.
4. Routine testing for NAB should be implemented for Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis to identify poor responders early.
2. Patients with NAB are six times more likely to respond poorly to interferon-beta, as evidenced by multiple relapses and extensive activity on magnetic resonance imaging.
3. MxA gene induction and protein induction assays are reliable screening and confirmatory tests for NAB.
4. Routine testing for NAB should be implemented for Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis to identify poor responders early.