Heterogeneity: CSF profile predicts response to interferons

[frodo]

In a small study patients were clustered into 6 distinct subsets by baseline cytokine profiles of CSF.

Two subsets were associated with patients who responded poorly to therapy. Two other subsets showed a significant reduction in relapse rates and no worsening of disability.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4747480/

Results:

A total of 157 patients were included in the study and clustered into 6 distinct subsets by baseline cytokine profiles. These subsets differed significantly in their clinical and biological response to IFN-β therapy. Two subsets were associated with patients who responded poorly to therapy. Two other subsets, associated with a good response to therapy, showed a significant reduction in relapse rates and no worsening of disability. Each subset also had differential changes in cytokine levels after 3 months of IFN-β

The heterogeneous nature of RRMS was notably described previously where subgroups of patients with RRMS were identified with differences in immunopathologic patterns in lesions. Our data from serum cytokines provide more evidence for immunologically distinct subgroups of MS and suggest these subgroups can stratify treatment response.