Interferon-Beta: Neutralizing Antibodies, Binding Antibodies, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Antibodies to interferon-beta (IFNb) may occur during treatment with this drug and can be measured at several levels, the totality of antibodies referred to as antidrug antibodies (ADA) or binding antibodies, and in case of interference with the drug activity referred to as neutralizing antibodies (NAB). Antibodies can also interfere with the biological activity of IFNb as measured by pharmacodynamic markers. To get a complete picture of the interference between IFNb as a drug and the ADA, all the 3 above levels need to be considered. Furthermore, the interaction of these biomarkers changes over time with a shift of antibody properties with respect to immunoglobulin subtypes, affinity, and titers of antibodies. In case of persistent NAB, the clinical benefit of IFNb in the treatment of multiple sclerosis is abolished. In this report, the current knowledge on these issues will be reviewed. The data have been presented at a meeting in Coral Gables, Florida on April 18-21, 2012.