Interleukin 17F level and interferon β response in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Biomarker Discovery
• Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis

Background:

• Interferon beta (IFNβ) is a standard treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• Predicting treatment response in RRMS is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
• Interleukin 17F (IL-17F) has been implicated in autoimmune diseases, but its role in IFNβ treatment response is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive value of serum IL-17F levels for treatment response to interferon beta-1b in RRMS patients.
• To assess the correlation between baseline and early changes in IL-17F levels and clinical/radiological outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 239 RRMS patients treated with interferon beta-1b (250 μg) for at least 2 years were analyzed.
• IL-17F levels were measured at baseline and 6 months using the Singulex Erenna IL-17F immunoassay.
• Comparisons were made between disease activity groups and responders versus nonresponders.

Main Results:

• Serum IL-17F levels at baseline and 6 months did not correlate with lack of response to interferon beta-1b after 2 years.
• No association was found between pretreatment IL-17F levels and relapses or new MRI lesions.
• Patients with IL-17F levels >200 pg/mL showed a trend towards poor response, irrespective of neutralizing antibodies.

Conclusions:

• Increased IL-17F levels early in interferon beta-1b treatment do not predict poor response in RRMS.
• IL-17F is not a reliable indicator of treatment response for interferon beta therapy in multiple sclerosis.
• Elevated IL-17F (>200 pg/mL) may potentially predict nonresponsiveness in some patients.