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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Absence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands is associated with delayed disability progression in
Pasquale Annunziata1, Antonio Giorgio, Lorenzo De Santi
1Department of Neurological Sciences and Behaviour, University of Siena, Italy. annunziata@unisi.it
Abstract:
To assess the role of CSF oligoclonal bands (OB) in determining the clinical outcome in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with IFN-beta, we carried out a retrospective, multicentre, observational study recruiting 209 RRMS patients from six MS centres from northern, central and southern areas of Italy under treatment with IFN-beta-1a i.m., IFN-beta-1a s.c. and IFN-beta-1b s.c. Twenty-two of 209 patients (10.6%) showed no OB in CSF. The patients without had, at disease onset, significantly higher frequency of visual disturbances (p=0.02) and less sensory involvement (p=0.04) than those with OB. A statistical trend (p=0.056) towards a longer time to reach sustained disability progression during treatment was found in patients without compared to those with OB. Thirty-six of 187 (19%) patients with OB worsened by at least 1 EDSS point compared to none of 22 (0%) OB-negative patients (p=0.017). The delaying of disability progression in OB-negative patients during treatment was significantly dependent only on the number of baseline MRI T2-weighted lesions (p=0.012) that was found to be significantly lower in OB-negative than in OB-positive patients (p=0.04). The absence of OB and low number of baseline T2-weighted lesions in this cohort of MS patients are favourable prognostic factors influencing the clinical response to IFN-beta treatment in RRMS patients.
Insights
Absence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (OB) and fewer baseline MRI lesions are favorable prognostic factors for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with interferon-beta (IFN-beta). These factors indicate a better clinical response and delayed disability progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is a common disease-modifying therapy for RRMS.
- Predicting treatment response and disease progression in RRMS is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands (OB) in RRMS patients treated with IFN-beta.
- To identify clinical and radiological factors associated with treatment response and disability progression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, multicentre, observational study of 209 RRMS patients treated with various IFN-beta formulations.
- Analysis of CSF for oligoclonal bands (OB) and baseline MRI T2-weighted lesions.
- Assessment of clinical outcomes including time to sustained disability progression and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) changes.
Main Results:
- 10.6% of patients were negative for CSF OB.
- OB-negative patients showed a trend towards longer time to disability progression and significantly less worsening on EDSS compared to OB-positive patients.
- Absence of OB and a lower number of baseline T2-weighted lesions were associated with better clinical response to IFN-beta.
Conclusions:
- Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (OB) absence is a favorable prognostic factor in RRMS patients treated with IFN-beta.
- Low baseline T2-weighted MRI lesion load further supports a positive prognosis.
- These factors may help personalize IFN-beta treatment strategies for RRMS.
