Research: Genetic clues to MS treatment

Here's an interesting bit of research connecting differing response to interferon beta to genetic differences:

J Neuroimmunol. 2006 Jan 19; [Epub ahead of print]
An IFNG polymorphism is associated with interferon-beta response in Spanish MS patients.

Martinez A, de Las Heras V, Mas Fontao A, Bartolome M, de la Concha EG, Urcelay E, Arroyo R.

Clinical Immunology Department, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, C/ Martin Lagos s/n 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Interferon-beta is a biological treatment widely used in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, not every patient responds equally well to this therapy. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the influence of a dinucleotide microsatellite located in the first intron of the interferon-gamma gene on relapse eradication in a group of interferon-beta-treated patients. Our results show a very different allelic distribution when patients with relapses were compared with relapse-free patients.

Link to abstract.