Elevated type I interferon-like activity in a subset of multiple sclerosis patients: molecular basis and clinical relevance.

Background: A subset of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) shows an increased endogenous IFN-like activity before initiation of IFN-beta treatment. The molecular basis of this phenomenon and its relevance to predict individual therapy outcomes are not yet fully understood. We studied the expression patterns of these patients, the prognostic value of an elevated IFN-like activity, and the gene regulatory effects of exogenously administered IFN-beta.

An inventory of short term and long term changes in gene expression under interferon β treatment of relapsing remitting MS patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune modulated disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by inflammation, demyelination and axonal injury. Currently relapsing remitting type of MS patients are most commonly treated with immune- modulators like interferon β (IFN β) or glatiramer acetate (GA). However, while the majority of patients respond well to therapy others do not.