Critical Review: Assessment of Interferon-beta Immunogenicity in Multiple Sclerosis

This review discusses type I interferon (IFN) immunogenicity with focus on methods of detection of anti-IFN antibodies in patients treated with human recombinant IFN-beta. Pitfalls involved in the clinical use of various types of assays for binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies against IFN-beta are presented, and the widely held distinction between binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies is questioned both in terms of detection and clinical importance. The article also addresses important bioavailability and pharmacokinetic issues occurring with prolonged use of protein drugs. The rationale for individualized or personalized medicine, ie, optimizing therapies according to individual needs rather than using standardized trial-and-error regimens to all patients, is highlighted.