Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Defining the response to interferon-beta in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients

Jordi Río1, Carlos Nos, Mar Tintoré

  • 12TM planta EUI, Unitat de Neuroimmunologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. jrio@vhebron.net

Annals of Neurology
|January 27, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Identifying nonresponders to interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is key. Criteria based on disability progression are more effective than relapse rates for pinpointing poor response in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is a common treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Early identification of patients not responding to IFN-beta is essential for optimizing treatment strategies.
  • Current response criteria may not accurately reflect treatment efficacy in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate different criteria for assessing treatment response to IFN-beta in RRMS patients.
  • To determine which criteria best identify patients with a poor response to IFN-beta therapy.
  • To compare the clinical relevance of relapse-based versus disability progression-based response criteria.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 393 RRMS patients treated with IFN-beta was followed for at least 2 years.
  • Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were recorded every 3 months.
  • Relapses and disability progression were analyzed using various defined criteria.

Main Results:

  • Nonresponder rates varied from 7% to 49% after 2 years, depending on the criteria's stringency.
  • Criteria focusing on disability progression demonstrated superior sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
  • Patients meeting disability progression criteria had a significantly higher risk (HR 39.6) of marked disability after 6 years.

Conclusions:

  • Disability progression criteria are more clinically relevant for evaluating IFN-beta response in RRMS than relapse rate criteria alone.
  • These findings can inform better patient counseling and care for RRMS patients undergoing IFN-beta treatment.
  • Accurate assessment of treatment response is crucial for managing MS progression.

Related Concept Videos

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...