Gamma‐interferon induction in patients with chronic progressive MS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Although gamma interferon (γ-IFN) may be involved in the pathogenesis of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS), whether it plays a role in chronic progressive MS is not known. To investigate this, we retrospectively analyzed serum samples from nine chronic progressive MS patients who were treated with monthly intravenous infusions of the interferon inducer polyinosinic acid polycytidylic acid polylysine in carboxymethylcellulose (poly ICLC). Using a bioassay we found that the mean peak total interferon level was 177 U/ml 12 hours after infusion, and using a radioimmunoassay we found that the mean peak γ-IFN level was 15.9 U/ml 12 hours after infusion, so that γ-IFN made up approximately 10% of the total. Greater γ-IFN induction did not correlate with clinical worsening; induced γ-IFN levels were not higher in two patients who worsened on treatment, and the highest levels were found in a patient who remained stable. Either chronic progressive MS is not sensitive to γ-IFN or the effects of γ-IFN are masked by other mediators induced by poly ICLC.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: