Immune response during interferon beta-1b treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis who experienced relapses and those who were relapse-free in the START study

We measured immune markers in subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with IFN beta-1b for 12 months. IL-17 levels were significantly higher at Month 6 (p=0.036) in relapsing subjects while BDNF levels were significantly higher at Month 3 (p=0.028) in relapse-free subjects. Change from baseline in IL-4 levels inversely correlated with disability score whereas change from baseline in IL-10/IFN-gamma ratio inversely correlated with occurrence of relapses. CXCR3+CDS+T-cells tended to be higher but declined with treatment in relapse-free compared with relapsing subjects. Findings show the potential of cytokine and neurotrophic factors-as biomarkers of clinical response to IFN beta-1b. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.