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Updated: May 18, 2026
High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Anti-phospholipid antibodies are associated with response to interferon-beta1a treatment in MS: results from a 3-year
Robert Zivadinov1, Murali Ramanathan, Julian Ambrus
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, 100 High St., Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. rzivadinov@bnac.net
Objectives:
To prospectively investigate the associations of baseline serum anti-phospholipid antibody (APLA) status on evolution of clinical and MRI measures in a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient cohort treated with interferon-beta (IFN-beta).
Methods:
Forty-seven relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients, [26 APLA-positive (APLA(+)) and 21 APLA-negative (APLA(-))] matched for age, sex, disease duration, MRI characteristics, disability, and time on IFN-beta treatment, were enrolled. All patients were on intramuscular (IM) IFN-beta1a for at least 3 years and remained on the same treatment over the 3-year duration of the study.
Results:
The APLA(+) group accumulated significantly higher T2-LV over the 3-year follow-up than the APLA(-) group (+31% versus -1·1%, P = 0·043). The MTR of T1-LV (-3·3% versus +4·7%, P = 0·04) in the APLA(+) group was lower compared to the APLA(-) group. At 3-year follow-up, the APLA(+) group had increased tissue damage as measured by diffusion entropy (+4% versus -2·5%, P = 0·019) and whole brain volume loss (-0·69% versus -0·37%, P = 0·041), compared to the APLA(-) group. There were more clinical relapses in the MS APLA(+) group compared to APLA(-) patients (18 versus 10) and a higher frequency of sustained disability progression (7/26 or 27% versus 2/21 or 9·5%).
Conclusions:
This study suggests that APLA(+) RRMS patients treated with IFN-beta1a develop more severe MRI and clinical deterioration. Future studies are required to evaluate the role of APLA as potential biomarkers for disease prognosis versus predictors for therapeutic response to IFN-beta therapy.
Insights
Anti-phospholipid antibody (APLA) positive patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) on interferon-beta (IFN-beta) showed worse clinical and MRI outcomes. APLA status may indicate disease prognosis or predict treatment response to IFN-beta.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is a common treatment for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
- Anti-phospholipid antibodies (APLA) are associated with autoimmune conditions and thrombosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of baseline anti-phospholipid antibody (APLA) status on the clinical and MRI progression of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with interferon-beta (IFN-beta).
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 47 RRMS patients (26 APLA-positive, 21 APLA-negative) on intramuscular IFN-beta1a for at least 3 years.
- Patients were matched for key demographic, clinical, and MRI characteristics.
- Clinical and MRI measures were assessed over a 3-year follow-up period.
Main Results:
- APLA-positive patients showed significantly greater T2 lesion volume (T2-LV) accumulation and lower MTR of T1-LV compared to APLA-negative patients.
- Increased tissue damage was observed in APLA-positive patients, evidenced by higher diffusion entropy and greater whole brain volume loss.
- APLA-positive patients experienced more clinical relapses and a higher frequency of sustained disability progression.
Conclusions:
- Baseline APLA positivity in RRMS patients treated with IFN-beta1a is associated with more severe clinical and MRI deterioration.
- APLA may serve as a potential biomarker for disease prognosis or a predictor of therapeutic response to IFN-beta in MS.
