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Published on: March 14, 2016
IL28B polymorphisms are not associated with the response to interferon-β in multiple sclerosis.
S Malhotra1, C Morcillo-Suárez, D Brassat
1Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, CEM-Cat, Unitat de Neuroimmunologia Clínica, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona, Spain.
Interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene variations do not predict treatment response in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients receiving interferon-beta (IFNβ). This study found no link between IL28B polymorphisms and IFNβ effectiveness in MS.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Neuroimmunology
- Pharmacogenomics
Background:
- Interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene polymorphisms are linked to treatment response in Hepatitis C.
- The role of IL28B in predicting treatment outcomes for other autoimmune diseases remains unclear.
- Interferon-beta (IFNβ) is a common treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between IL28B gene polymorphisms and response to IFNβ treatment in MS patients.
- To determine if specific IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influence clinical outcomes in MS.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of two IL28B SNPs (rs8099917 and rs12979860) in 588 MS patients.
- Classification of patients into responders (n=281) and non-responders (n=307) based on IFNβ treatment.
- Statistical analysis to assess the relationship between IL28B genotypes and treatment response.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between IL28B SNPs rs8099917 and rs12979860 and IFNβ treatment response in the combined MS cohort.
- Individual analysis of responder and non-responder groups also revealed no significant genetic associations.
- The studied IL28B polymorphisms do not appear to influence the efficacy of IFNβ therapy in multiple sclerosis.
Conclusions:
- IL28B polymorphisms do not play a significant role in predicting response to interferon-beta therapy in multiple sclerosis patients.
- These findings suggest that IL28B genotype is not a useful biomarker for guiding IFNβ treatment decisions in MS.
- Further research may be needed to explore other genetic factors influencing MS treatment response.
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