Neopterin production and tryptophan degradation during 24-months therapy with interferon beta-1a in multiple sclerosis patients
2011

Neopterin and Tryptophan Degradation in Multiple Sclerosis Patients on Interferon Beta-1a

Sample size: 101 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Valentina Durastanti, Alessandra Lugaresi, Placido Bramanti, Mariapia Amato, Paolo Bellantonio, Giovanna De Luca, Orietta Picconi, Roberta Fantozzi, Laura Locatelli, Annalisa Solda', Edoardo Sessa, Rocco Totaro, Silvia Marino, Valentina Zipoli, Marino Zorzon, Enrico Millefiorini

Primary Institution: Department of Neurological Sciences, University 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy

Hypothesis

The study aims to investigate the dynamic profile of neopterin and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis treated with two different doses of interferon beta-1a over a period of 24 months.

Conclusion

The clinical relevance of the differences in serum markers concentration following interferon beta-1a administration needs to be confirmed with more detailed studies.

Supporting Evidence

  • Neopterin and kyn/trp ratio values increased over time in both treatment groups.
  • Neopterin levels were significantly reduced in NAb-positive patients starting from month 9 of therapy.
  • No significant correlation emerged between laboratory data and disease progression EDSS changes.

Takeaway

Doctors gave medicine to patients with multiple sclerosis and checked their blood over two years to see how the medicine affected certain markers in their blood.

Methodology

Patients received open-label interferon beta-1a at two different doses, and blood samples were taken to measure neopterin and kyn/trp ratio at various time points.

Potential Biases

The study was open-label, which may introduce bias in the assessment of outcomes.

Limitations

The study's findings need to be established with further studies due to the snapshot effect related to the low-frequency of the sampling interval.

Participant Demographics

{"age":"34.2 ± 8.4 years (HD), 35.3 ± 8.2 years (LD)","sex":{"female":"71 (70.3%)","male":"30 (29.7%)"},"disease_duration":"≤ 10 years","EDSS_score":"1.6 - 1.7"}

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.001 for neopterin, p = 0.0013 for kyn/trp ratio

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5876-9-42

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication