[PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF BIOMARKERS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ACTIVITY]

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment often involves interferon-beta (IFN-ß).
• A significant percentage of MS patients develop neutralizing antibodies (NABs) to IFN-ß, compromising treatment efficacy.
• IFN-ß therapy induces protein markers that can indicate treatment effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prognostic significance of MS activity biomarkers in relation to clinical data.
• To assess the role of viperin as a potential prognostic marker in MS patients undergoing IFN-ß therapy.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of clinical data and serum samples from 30 MS patients treated with IFN-ß for an average of 3.5 years.
• Monitoring the prevalence of neutralizing antibody (NABs) formation over time.
• Measuring viperin levels and correlating them with MS exacerbation frequency.

Main Results:

• NABs formation was observed in 13% of patients initially, rising to 30% after one year.
• Viperin levels were significantly lower in patients without exacerbations compared to those with exacerbations.
• A viperin concentration above 0.2 ng/ml was identified as a risk factor for MS exacerbation.

Conclusions:

• Viperin concentration in serum shows prognostic significance for MS activity.
• Viperin may serve as a valuable prognostic marker for monitoring IFN-ß therapy effectiveness in MS patients.
• Monitoring viperin levels could aid in predicting and managing MS exacerbations during interferon treatment.