Research Article

Cytokines as Biomarkers of Treatment Response to IFNβ in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Table 3

Data of study subjects separated in treatment response groups.

GR ( )PR ( ) noRx ( ) (versus GR, PR)

Baseline characteristics
Female/male ( )12/78/8NS*5/3
Age at diagnosis (years)31.42 ± 10.2532.88 ± 10.820.6838.38 ± 5.090.24, 0.36
Disease duration (years)1.28 ± 2.362.31 ± 2.970.214.27 ± 5.180.18, 0.47
Pre-IFN ARR1.46 ± 1.081.61 ± 0.520.450.54 ± 0.260.006, 0.003
T2 lesions9.68 ± 6.1712.31 ± 5.120.188.87 ± 4.080.73, 0.11
T1 Gd+ lesions2.73 ± 2.302.31 ± 2.050.650.50 ± 0.530.01, 0.05
IgG index1.11 ± 0.541.02 ± 0.760.390.85 ± 0.520.13, 0.31
CSF cells (per L)11.16 ± 8.6510.81 ± 8.160.904.12 ± 5.790.05, 0.01
EDSS acute2.74 ± 0.933.15 ± 0.890.271.81 ± 0.370.01, 0.003

Follow-up data
Follow-up duration (years)5.07 ± 1.575.39 ± 1.580.555.71 ± 1.530.32, 0.71
EDSS remission1.79 ± 1.012.40 ± 0.930.011.31 ± 0.250.30, 0.003
EDSS final2.02 ± 1.394.18 ± 1.870.0011.12 ± 0.230.01, 0.001
IFN duration (years)4.01 ± 1.552.91 ± 1.680.05NA
ARR under IFN 0.18 ± 0.271.42 ± 0.75<0.0001
Relapse free (%)58.82%0%<0.000187.5%0.003, <0.0001
EDSS progression-free (%)94.11%33.33%0.01100%0.60, 0.001

Data are given as mean ± SD; ARR: annualized relapse rate; GR: good response; PR: poor response, noRx: no treatment; NA: not applicable; NS: not significant (*chi-square test); corresponds to ARR for the entire follow-up period under noRx; numbers in bold denote statistical significance.