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Defining and scoring response to IFN-β in multiple sclerosis

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 9, pages 504–512 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

The advent of a large number of new therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) warrants the development of tools that enable selection of the best treatment option for each new patient with MS. Evidence from clinical trials clearly supports the efficacy of IFN-β for the treatment of MS, but few factors that predict a response to this drug in individual patients have emerged. This deficit might be due, at least in part, to the lack of a standardized definition of the clinical outcomes that signify improvement or worsening of the disease. MRI markers and clinical relapses have been the most widely studied short-term factors to predict long-term response to IFN-β, although the results are conflicting. Recently, integrated strategies combining MRI and clinical markers in scoring systems have provided a potentially useful approach for the management of patients with MS. In this Review, we focus on the many definitions of clinical response to IFN-β and explore the markers that can be used to predict this response. We also highlight advantages and limitations of the existing scoring systems in light of future expansion of these models to biological markers and to other classes of emerging therapies for MS.

Key Points

  • The emergence of new therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) has created a need for the development of tools to select the best treatment for each individual

  • Identification of responders to IFN-β is crucial for personalized use of this disease-modifying therapy, but is challenging in a disease such MS

  • MRI markers and clinical relapses during the first year of IFN-β therapy best discriminate responding patients when used in combination

  • Integrated scoring systems allow incorporation of clinical data and MRI measures of disease activity into the therapeutic management of patients with MS

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Figure 1: An evidence-based quantitative algorithm to monitor response to IFN-β.
Figure 2: Probability of disability progression over 2 years in patients with multiple sclerosis enrolled in the PRISMS trial.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Merck Serono S.A., Geneva, Switzerland, who allowed the use of the individual-patient database of the PRISMS study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, Genoa, 16132, Italy

    Maria Pia Sormani

  2. Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, Siena, 53100, Italy

    Nicola De Stefano

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Both authors researched data for the article, discussed the content, wrote the article, and reviewed and edited the manuscript before submission.

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Correspondence to Maria Pia Sormani.

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Competing interests

M. P. Sormani has received personal compensation for consulting services and for speaking activities from Actelion, Merck Serono, Synthon, Allozyne and Biogen Idec. She has also received consultation fees from Novartis. N. De Stefano has received honoraria from Schering, Biogen-Dompè, Teva and Merck Serono S.A. for consulting services, speaking and travel support, and has received consulting fees from Novartis. He serves on advisory boards for Merck Serono S.A.

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Sormani, M., De Stefano, N. Defining and scoring response to IFN-β in multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 9, 504–512 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2013.146

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