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O Fernandez,
R Arroyo-Gonzalez,
A Rodriguez-Antiguedad,
J A Garcia-Merino, M Comabella,
L M Villar,
G Izquierdo,
M Tintore,
C Oreja-Guevara,
J C Alvarez-Cermeno,
J E Meca-Lallana,
J M Prieto,
Ll Ramio-Torrenta,
S Martinez-Yelamos,
X Montalban
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis is the most frequent disabling neurological disease in young adults. Its development includes independent processes of inflammation, demyelination, neurodegeneration, gliosis and repair, which are responsible for the heterogeneity and individual variability in the expression of the disease, its prognosis and response to treatment. As part of personalised medicine, the progress made in the search for new biomarkers has identified promising candidates that may be useful for the early diagnosis of the disease, for detecting prognostic and developmental profiles of the disease, and for monitoring the response to treatment. Unfortunately, few of them have been validated adequately, which prevents them from being applied in clinical practice. In view of the latest findings, the experts recommend orienting research in another direction, not so much towards the discovery of new molecules or imaging techniques, but instead towards a clinical validation of these markers, with the aim of fostering translational research. This review offers an update on the information about the biomarkers in multiple sclerosis that have currently been validated and are thus potential candidates, as well as looking at their value in the diagnosis, prognosis, evaluation of the development of the disability caused by the disease and the response to therapy.
Revista de neurologia 04/2013; 56(7):375-90. · 0.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated cellular immune responses at baseline in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with interferon (IFN)-β and classified into responders and non-responders according to clinical response criteria. Levels for IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-10 and IL-4 were determined in activated PBMC of 10 responders, 10 non-responders and 10 healthy controls by cytometric bead arrays. Cytokine levels in cell culture supernatants were similar between responders and non-responders, and comparable to those obtained in healthy controls. These findings do not support differential cellular immune responses in PBMC at baseline between IFN-β responders and non-responders.
Clinical & Experimental Immunology 03/2013; 171(3):243-6. · 3.36 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
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ABSTRACT: Type I interferons (IFNs) are known to enhance humoral immunity. Here, we investigated the prevalence and titer of anti-nuclear and anti-neuronal IgG autoantibodies in 71 relapsing-remitting MS patients classified based on their clinical response to IFNβ in paired sera obtained at baseline and after 12months of treatment. All samples were negative for antibodies against cytoplasmic rods/rings, synaptic proteins and paraneoplastic antibodies. Regarding anti-nuclear, anti-filament and anti-myelin antibodies, pre- and post-treatment prevalence and titers did not differ significantly between IFNβ responders and non-responders. Thus, pattern of anti-nuclear and anti-neuronal autoantibodies does not predict the response to IFNβ in MS patients.
Journal of neuroimmunology 11/2012; · 2.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Sialic acid binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) are cell surface receptors that recognize sialic acids and may attenuate immune responses and reduce inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of two members of the Siglec family, SIGLEC1 and SIGLEC7, in the clinical course and disease activity of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: SIGLEC1 and SIGLEC7 expression was determined by flow cytometry in the blood monocytes of 16 healthy controls and 55 untreated MS patients (13 primary progressive MS (PPMS) patients, 13 secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients and 29 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients (18 during clinical remission and 11 during relapse)). RESULTS: SIGLEC1 expression by CD14+ monocytes was significantly increased in MS patients compared with controls (p=0.025 for percentage of positive cells; p=0.007 for mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)). Stratification of patients into different clinical forms revealed increased SIGLEC1 expression in patients with progressive forms of the disease, particularly in those with PPMS (p=0.003 for percentage of positive cells and p=0.001 for MFI when compared with controls; p=0.031 for percentage of positive cells when compared with RRMS patients). Both inflammatory and resident monocytes contributed to the increase in SIGLEC1 expression observed in PPMS patients. SIGLEC7 expression was significantly up-regulated in blood monocytes from RRMS during relapse compared with patients during clinical remission (p=0.001 for MFI). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest roles for SIGLEC1 in the chronic progressive phases of MS and for SIGLEC7 in acute disease activity.
Multiple Sclerosis 08/2012; · 4.26 Impact Factor
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S Vosslamber,
L F van der Voort,
I J van den Elskamp,
R Heijmans,
C Aubin,
B M J Uitdehaag,
J B A Crusius,
T C T M van der Pouw Kraan, M Comabella,
X Montalban,
D A Hafler,
P L De Jager,
J Killestein,
C H Polman,
C L Verweij
Genes and immunity 07/2012; 13(5):443. · 4.22 Impact Factor
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Oscar Fernandez,
José C Alvarez-Cermeno,
Rafael Arroyo-Gonzalez,
Lluís Brieva,
M Carmen Calles-Hernandez,
Bonaventura Casanova-Estruch, Manuel Comabella,
Virginia de las Heras,
Juan A Garcia-Merino,
Miguel A Hernandez-Perez, [......],
Javier Olascoaga,
Celia Oreja-Guevara,
José M Prieto,
Lluís Ramio-Torrenta,
Alfredo Rodriguez-Antiguedad,
Lucía Romero-Pinel,
Fernando Sanchez,
Nieves Tellez,
Mar Tintore,
Xavier Montalban
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The new insights presented at the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European and Americas Committees on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS and ACTRIMS) held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 19-22 October 2011, have been summarized at the fourth edition of Post-ECTRIMS meeting held in Madrid in November 2011. Regional grey-matter atrophy is more sensitive to cognitive impairment than global grey-matter atrophy measures. In patients with clinically isolated syndrome cognitive impairment does not predict conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) after 5-years of follow-up. Focusing on central nervous system plasticity and functional reorganization in MS, an early intervention can improve clinical aspects and enhances brain plasticity. Preservation of a potential for plasticity provides a rationale for rehabilitation interventions even in later stages of disease. Therapeutical strategies have focused on stem cell-mediated remyelination and immunomodulation functions, on cellular infiltration into the brain, and on new ways for immuno-modulation for the development of future therapies in MS. Encouraging findings from clinical trials with current and emerging disease-modifying therapy being developed was also a key theme at this edition. Positive results have been reported for rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, daclizumab, alemtuzumab, teriflunomide, BG-12, and laquinimod, including a favorable safety profile. Since armamentarium for the treatment of MS is fast increasing, concerns exist about the risk of severe adverse events with their use. This aspect reinforces the importance of disease registries as a proactive tool for monitoring drug safety in the post-approval setting.
Revista de neurologia 06/2012; 54(12):734-49. · 0.65 Impact Factor
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C Costa,
G Arrambide,
M Tintore,
J Castilló,
J Sastre-Garriga,
C Tur,
J Río,
A Saiz,
A Vidal-Jordana,
C Auger,
C Nos,
A Rovira, M Comabella,
A Horga,
X Montalban
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Despite the availability of diagnostic criteria, an overlap between neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) exists, particularly in the early stage of the disease.
To study the value of NMO-immunoglobulin G (IgG) determination in Caucasian patients with a first demyelinating episode who develop a relapsing form of optic neuritis or myelitis.
This study was based on a prospectively acquired cohort of patients regarded as having a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) at the time of presentation. From this cohort, 2 different groups were selected: group 1 (NMO phenotype), consisting of a first attack involving the optic nerve or the spinal cord, and at least a second event affecting either topography, and group 2 (negative control group), consisting of a first attack involving the brainstem or the cerebral hemispheres and at least 1 relapse in any topography. Group 3 was composed of patients with NMO according to the 2006 revised diagnostic criteria. Serum NMO-IgG was determined by indirect immunofluorescence.
A total of 3.1 of the group 1 patients were positive for NMO-IgG in comparison to 3.9% of group 2 and 44.5% of group 3, NMO. One of the positive patients in group 1 evolved to NMO.
NMO-IgG determination is crucial in detecting patients who will develop NMO; however, its value as a routine test in cases presenting with symptoms of the type seen in MS is low, and should only be performed in those patients in which the initial diagnosis is not clear.
Neurology 05/2012; 78(20):1608-11. · 8.31 Impact Factor
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H.-P. Hartung,
C. Polman,
A. Bertolotto,
F. Deisenhammer,
G. Giovannoni,
E. Havrdova,
B. Hemmer,
J. Hillert,
L. Kappos,
B. Kieseier,
J. Killestein,
C. Malcus, M. Comabella,
A. Pachner,
H. Schellekens,
F. Sellebjerg,
K. Selmaj,
P. S. Sorensen
[show abstract]
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ABSTRACT: Interferon beta (IFNβ)
therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS)
is associated with a potential for the
development of neutralising antibodies
(NAbs) that negatively affect
therapy. Several factors
influence the development of
NAbs, such as lack of complete
sequence homology with the
endogenous IFNβ sequence, frequency
of administration, level of
dose and formulation of IFNβ.
Taken together, the evidence that
NAb status reduces clinical efficacy
in MS patients is strong. Standardised
assays for NAbs are lacking,
and titres vary over time. NAb
testing is a critical component of
care for MS patients because it
provides information on one of the
most important factors determining
clinical responsiveness to IFNβ
therapy. This expert panel report
attempts to move the field towards
resolution of the remaining issues
and considers several aspects of
NAbs, including their clinical relevance,
factors influencing immunogenicity,
assays to quantify NAbs
and the definition of clinically
relevant titres.
Key words
neutralising antibodies-interferon β-multiple sclerosis-NAb+-NAb-
Journal of Neurology 04/2012; 254(7):827-837. · 3.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tumor necrosis factor
(TNF)–α converting enzyme
(TACE, also called ADAM17) is a
key sheddase that releases TNF–α
from its inactive cell–bound precursor.
TACE protein expression
levels in peripheral blood mononuclear
cells were measured by Western
blot analysis in 20 healthy controls
and 80 multiple sclerosis (MS)
patients before and after treatment
with IFNβ [20 patients with primary
progressive (PP) MS, 20 patients
with secondary progressive
(SP) MS, and 40 patients with relapsing–
remitting (RR) MS (20 patients
during clinical remission and
20 patients in relapse)]. TNF–α
serum levels were also measured by
enzyme–linked immunoassay in
the MS patients and healthy controls.
TACE protein expression
levels were lower in healthy controls
and PPMS patients compared
with SPMS patients and RRMS
patient during clinical remission.
No differences in TACE protein
levels were observed between
RRMS patients in relapse and
during remission. TACE protein
levels were increased in PPMS patients
treated with IFNβ. Serum
TNF–α levels were higher in RRMS
patients in relapse compared with
RRMS patients during remission,
and positive and negative correlations
were found between TACE
protein expression and serum
TNF–α levels in RRMS patients
during relapse and during remission
respectively. These findings
point to different regulatory mechanisms
of the TACE–TNF–α pathway
in the clinical MS subtypes and
expand the role of TACE in MS
pathogenesis.
Journal of Neurology 04/2012; 253(6):701-706. · 3.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recently, we reported an association between a SNP in IL28RA and MS. Here, we performed a fine-mapping of the IL28RA locus by genotyping 10 haplotype-tagging SNPs in a Basque-Spanish population. In addition, based on shared genetic risk loci between autoimmune diseases, a psoriasis-associated SNP located at this locus, rs4649203, was genotyped in four independent populations, comprising a total of 2582 cases and 2614 controls. We did not find any consistent association between IL28RA and MS in these populations, suggesting that, although it may play a role in other autoimmune diseases, this gene is unlikely of general relevance to MS pathogenesis.
Journal of neuroimmunology 03/2012; 245(1-2):98-101. · 2.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) has a partial efficacy, and a significant proportion of treated patients will develop a suboptimal response with first-line disease-modifying drugs (DMD). Therapy switch in patients with MS can be a strategy after a treatment failure. We studied the change in clinical activity after switching of first-line DMD because of a treatment failure.
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with interferon-beta (IFNB) or glatiramer acetate (GA) were divided into (i) patients without change in DMD, (ii) patients with a change in DMD because of a poor response, and (iii) those with a change in DMD without relation with response. Annualized relapse rate (ARR) and relapse-free proportions were analyzed.
We identified 923 patients with RRMS. Of the 180 who experienced a change because of suboptimal response, 90 switched to another first-line DMT, 38 to mitoxantrone, and 52 to natalizumab. Median ARR in the pre-DMD period on first DMD and second DMD was the following: 1, 1, and 0 for switchers from IFNB to another IFNB (P = 0.0001); 0.67, 1, and 0 for switchers from GA to IFNB (P = 0.01); 1, 1, and 0 for switchers from an IFNB to GA (P = 0.02); 1.1, 1.5, 0.2 for switchers from IFNB or GA to mitoxantrone (P = 0.0001); 0.9, 1, 0 for switchers from IFNB or GA to natalizumab (P = 0.0001).
In patients with RRMS who have a poor response, switch to another DMD may reduce the clinical activity of the disease.
European Journal of Neurology 01/2012; 19(6):899-904. · 3.69 Impact Factor
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E Cantó,
F Reverter,
C Morcillo-Suárez,
F Matesanz,
O Fernández,
G Izquierdo,
K Vandenbroeck,
A Rodríguez-Antigüedad,
E Urcelay,
R Arroyo, [......],
J Olascoaga,
A Saiz,
A Navarro,
A Sanchez,
C Domínguez,
A Caminero,
A Horga,
M Tintoré,
X Montalban, M Comabella
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is upregulated in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions. Recent studies have pointed to a role of CHI3L1 in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
The objective of this study was to investigate the role of plasma CHI3L1 in MS clinical course and disease activity and to evaluate the effect of interferon-beta (IFNβ) treatment on protein levels.
Plasma CHI3L1 levels were determined by ELISA in 57 healthy controls (HC), 220 untreated MS patients [66 primary progressive MS patients (PPMS), 30 secondary progressive MS patients (SPMS), and 124 relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS), 94 during clinical remission and 30 during relapse], and 32 MS patients receiving IFNβ treatment. A polymorphism of the CHI3L1 gene, rs4950928, was genotyped in 3274 MS patients and 3483 HC.
Plasma CHI3L1 levels were significantly increased in patients with progressive forms of MS compared with RRMS patients and HC. CHI3L1 levels were similar between RRMS patients in relapse and remission. A trend towards decreased CHI3L1 levels was observed in IFNβ-treated patients. Allele C of rs4950928 was significantly associated with PPMS patients and with higher plasma CHI3L1 levels.
These findings point to a role of CHI3L1 in patients with progressive forms of MS, particularly in those with PPMS.
Multiple Sclerosis 12/2011; 18(7):983-90. · 4.26 Impact Factor
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[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: It has long been known that tumour necrosis factor (TNF)/TNFRSF1A signalling is involved in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Different genetic and clinical findings over the last few years have generated renewed interest in this relationship. This paper provides an update on these recent findings. Genome-wide association studies have identified the R92Q mutation in the TNFRSF1A gene as a genetic risk factor for MS (odds ratio 1·6). This allele, which is also common in the general population and in other inflammatory conditions, therefore only implies a modest risk for MS and provides yet another piece of the puzzle that defines the multiple genetic risk factors for this disease. TNFRSF1A mutations have been associated with an autoinflammatory disease known as TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). Clinical observations have identified a group of MS patients carrying the R92Q mutation who have additional TRAPS symptoms. Hypothetically, the co-existence of MS and TRAPS or a co-morbidity relationship between the two could be mediated by this mutation. The TNFRSF1A R92Q mutation behaves as a genetic risk factor for MS and other inflammatory diseases, including TRAPS. Nevertheless, this mutation does not appear to be a severity marker of the disease, neither modifying the clinical progression of MS nor its therapeutic response. An alteration in TNF/TNFRS1A signalling may increase proinflammatory signals; the final clinical phenotype may possibly be determined by other genetic or environmental modifying factors that have not yet been identified.
Clinical & Experimental Immunology 12/2011; 166(3):338-45. · 3.36 Impact Factor
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I Alloza,
D Otaegui,
A Lopez de Lapuente,
A Antigüedad,
J Varadé,
C Núñez,
R Arroyo,
E Urcelay,
O Fernandez,
L Leyva, [......],
M Lucas,
B Oliver-Martos,
A Alcina,
A Saiz,
Y Blanco, M Comabella,
X Montalban,
J Olascoaga,
F Matesanz,
K Vandenbroeck
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) shares some risk genes with other disorders hallmarked by an autoimmune pathogenesis, most notably IL2RA and CLEC16A. We analyzed 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine risk genes, which recently emerged from a series of non-MS genome-wide association studies (GWAS), in a Spanish cohort comprising 2895 MS patients and 2942 controls. We identified two SNPs associated with MS. The first SNP, rs6859219, located in ANKRD55 (Chr5), was recently discovered in a meta-analysis of GWAS on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and emerged from this study with genome-wide significance (odds ratio (OR) = 1.35; P = 2.3 × 10(-9)). The second SNP, rs12785878, is located near DHCR7 (Chr11), a genetic determinant of vitamin D insufficiency, and showed a size effect in MS similar to that recently observed in Type 1 diabetes (T1D; OR = 1.10; P = 0.009). ANKRD55 is a gene of unknown function, and is flanked proximally by the IL6ST-IL31RA gene cluster. However, rs6859219 did not show correlation with a series of haplotype-tagging SNPs covering IL6ST-IL31RA, analyzed in a subset of our dataset (D'< 0.31; r(2)< 0.011). Our results expand the number of risk genes shared between MS, RA and T1D.
Genes and immunity 12/2011; 13(3):253-7. · 4.22 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: CD56(bright) NK cells, which may play a role in immunoregulation, are expanded in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with immunomodulatory therapies such as daclizumab and interferon-beta (IFNβ). Yet, whether this NK cell subset is directly involved in the therapeutic effect is unknown. As NK receptor (NKR) expression by subsets of NK cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes is related to MS clinical course, we addressed whether CD56(bright) NK cells and NKR in IFNβ-treated MS patients differ according to the clinical response. IFNβ was associated to lower LILRB1+ and KIR+NK cells, and higher NKG2A+NK cell proportions, an immunophenotypic pattern mainly found in responders. After IFNβ treatment, a CD56(bright) NK cell expansion was significantly related to a positive clinical response. Our results reveal that IFNβ may promote in responders changes in the NK cell immunophenotype, corresponding to the profile found at early maturation stages of this lymphocyte lineage.
Clinical Immunology 12/2011; 141(3):348-56. · 4.05 Impact Factor
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S Malhotra,
C Morcillo-Suárez,
D Brassat,
R Goertsches,
J Lechner-Scott,
E Urcelay,
O Fernández,
J Drulovic,
A García-Merino,
F Martinelli Boneschi, [......],
J Río,
D A Akkad,
G Giacalone,
A J Sánchez,
L Leyva,
R Alvarez-Lafuente,
U K Zettl,
J Oksenberg,
X Montalban, M Comabella
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recent studies have revealed an association between interleukin 28B (IL28B) and response to IFN-alpha treatment in hepatitis C patients. Here we investigated the influence of IL28B polymorphisms in the response to interferon-beta (IFNβ) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We genotyped two SNPs of the IL28B gene (rs8099917 and rs12979860) in 588 MS patients classified into responders (n=281) and non-responders (n=307) to IFNβ. Combined analysis of the study cohorts showed no significant associations between SNPs rs8099917 and rs12979860 and the response to treatment. These findings do not support a role of IL28B polymorphisms in the response to IFNβ in MS patients.
Journal of neuroimmunology 08/2011; 239(1-2):101-4. · 2.84 Impact Factor
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K Vandenbroeck,
J Alvarez,
B Swaminathan,
I Alloza,
F Matesanz,
E Urcelay, M Comabella,
A Alcina,
M Fedetz,
M A Ortiz,
G Izquierdo,
O Fernandez,
N Rodriguez-Ezpeleta,
C Matute,
S Caillier,
R Arroyo,
X Montalban,
J R Oksenberg,
A Antigüedad,
A Aransay
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Cytokine and cytokine receptor genes, including IL2RA, IL7R and IL12A, are known risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Excitotoxic oligodendroglial death mediated by glutamate receptors contributes to demyelinating reactions. In the present study, we screened 368 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 55 genes or gene clusters coding for cytokines, cytokine receptors, suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS), complement factors and glutamate receptors for association with MS in a Spanish-Basque resident population. Top-scoring SNPs were found within or nearby the genes coding for SOCS-1 (P=0.0005), interleukin-28 receptor, alpha chain (P=0.0008), oncostatin M receptor (P=0.002) and interleukin-22 receptor, alpha 2 (IL22RA2; P=0.003). The SOCS1 rs243324 variant was validated as risk factor for MS in a separate cohort of 3919 MS patients and 4003 controls (combined Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel P=0.00006; odds ratio (OR)=1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07-1.20). In addition, the T allele of rs243324 was consistently increased in relapsing-remitting/secondary progressive versus primary-progressive MS patients, in each of the six data sets used in this study (P(CMH)=0.0096; OR=1.24; 95% CI 1.05-1.46). The association with SOCS1 appears independent from the chr16MS risk locus CLEC16A.
Genes and immunity 06/2011; 13(1):21-8. · 4.22 Impact Factor
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S Vosslamber,
L F van der Voort,
I J van den Elskamp,
R Heijmans,
C Aubin,
B M J Uitdehaag,
J B A Crusius,
T C T M van der Pouw Kraan,
T C T M van der PouwKraan, M Comabella,
X Montalban,
D A Hafler,
P L De Jager,
J Killestein,
C H Polman,
C L Verweij
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Interferon-β (IFNβ) therapy is effective in approximately half of the patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Clinical non-responders were characterized by an increased expression of IFN response genes before the start of therapy, and a lack of a pharmacologically induced increase in IFN response gene activity. Because Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 (IRF5) is a master regulator of IFN-activity, we carried out a candidate gene study of IRF5 gene variants in relation to the pharmacological and clinical response upon IFNβ treatment. We found that patients with the IRF5 rs2004640-TT and rs47281420-AA genotype exerted a poor pharmacological response to IFNβ compared with patients carrying the respective G-alleles (P=0.0006 and P=0.0023, respectively). Moreover, patients with the rs2004640-TT genotype developed more magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based T2 lesions during IFNβ treatment (P=0.003). Accordingly, an association between MRI-based non-responder status and rs2004640-TT genotype was observed (P=0.010). For the rs4728142-AA genotype a trend of an association with more T2 lesions during IFNβ treatment and MRI-based non-responder status was observed (P=0.103 and P=0.154, respectively). The clinical relevance of the rs2004640-TT genotype was validated in an independent cohort wherein a shorter time to first relapse was found (P=0.037). These findings suggest a role for IRF5 gene variation in the pharmacological and clinical outcome of IFNβ therapy that might have relevance as biomarker to predict the response to IFNβ in multiple sclerosis.
Genes and immunity 04/2011; 12(6):466-72. · 4.22 Impact Factor
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O Fernandez-Fernandez,
J C Alvarez-Cermeno,
T Arbizu-Urdiain,
R Arroyo-Gonzalez,
C Arnal-Garcia,
B Casanova-Estruch,
M C Calles-Hernandez,
F Coret-Ferrer, M Comabella,
J A Garcia-Merino,
V de Las Heras,
G Izquierdo,
J E Meca-Lallana,
D Munoz-Garcia,
J Olascoaga,
C Oreja-Guevara,
J M Prieto,
A Rodriguez-Antiguedad,
M Tintore,
X Montalban
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The new insights presented at European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), held in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2010, have been summarized at the third edition of Post-ECTRIMS meeting held in Madrid in November 2010. Encouraging findings from the 5-years follow up extension from PreCISe study confirm the benefit of early treatment with glatiramer acetate in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) against the conversion to clinically definitive multiple sclerosis and cerebral atrophy with an adequate safety and tolerability. Regarding treatment decision with escalation or induction therapy, different strategies have been proposed depending on to the characteristics of the individual patient with CIS. Findings from several of the reported studies have revealed the favorable role of combined therapy on relapse rate but not on magnetic resonance parameters in patients with recurrent-remittent multiple sclerosis. Novel therapies such as alemtuzumab, daclizumab ofatutumab or ocrelizumab have shown promising findings regarding efficacy. Nevertheless, safety findings for these emerging therapies have detected some severe adverse events, the main ones being potentially fatal opportunistic infections such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by JC virus, mainly linked to natalizumab treatment. In this regard, clinicians will face the assessment of he benefit-risk ratio when deciding on the adequate treatment for each patient in the clinical setting. In this regard, determination of antibodies to JC virus by a novel two-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could provide clinicians with a useful tool to stratify PML risk in patients. Regarding non pharmacologic therapies, behavioral intervention has emerged as an effective therapy in the treatment of depression in multiple sclerosis, showing additional benefits on fatigue, disability and adherence to treatment.
Revista de neurologia 03/2011; 52(5):289-99. · 0.65 Impact Factor
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A Horga,
J Castillo,
J Rio,
M Tintore,
C Auger,
J Sastre-Garriga,
M C Edo,
F Perez-Miralles,
C Tur,
C Nos,
E Huerga, M Comabella,
A Rovira,
X Montalban
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To analyse the safety and effectiveness of natalizumab in the treatment of multiple sclerosis in a real clinical practice setting and according to the approved indications.
All patients with multiple sclerosis treated with natalizumab in our centre were evaluated. The clinical and radiological disease activity during the first year of treatment was analyzed in patients who received at least 12 doses of the drug. The data regarding moderate and severe adverse events in the entire study sample was also evaluated.
A total of 112 patients were included in the study, of which 110 had been previously treated with other drugs and 76 had received at least 12 doses of natalizumab. In this group, the annualized relapse rate was reduced by 89% compared to the preceding year and 80% of patients were free from relapses after one year of treatment. Nine percent of patients exhibited 3-month confirmed disability progression. At month 12, the mean number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions on brain MRI was decreased by 99% compared to the pre-treatment MRI. During the first year of treatment, 76% of patients remained free from clinical activity and 33% remained free from both clinical and radiological disease activity. Twenty-nine percent of patients had at least one moderate or severe adverse event, which led to treatment discontinuation in 6%. Four percent of patients experienced immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
This study suggests that natalizumab is effective in reducing disease activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis and inadequate response to other therapies, with a favorable risk-benefit ratio.
Revista de neurologia 03/2011; 52(6):321-30. · 0.65 Impact Factor
