Identification of interferon-beta antibodies in a reference laboratory setting: findings for 1144 consecutive sera

Clinical studies demonstrate differences in interferon-beta (IFNbeta) antibody detection frequencies among multiple sclerosis patients receiving different IFNbeta products. We sought to determine if these differences are also found when IFNbeta antibodies are measured in a reference laboratory, where factors normally controlled in clinical studies are unknown. Serum IFNbeta binding antibodies (BAbs) were quantitated by ELISA; BAbs-positive samples were then tested in a bioassay for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Consistent with clinical studies, frequencies of BAbs-positive sera and NAbs-positive sera were lower in the Avonex (IFNbeta-1a) treatment group than Rebif (IFNbeta-1a) and Betaseron (IFNbeta-1b) groups. We further identified a predictive relationship between positive BAbs levels and NAbs activity in patients treated with IFNbeta-1a products, but not those treated with IFNbeta-1b.