Multiple sclerosis and immune system biomarkers: Novel comparison in glatiramer acetate and interferon beta-1a-treated patient groups.

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). T cells and B lymphocytes are involved in the development of this disease. Methods The following biomarkers were determined in peripheral blood in 28 patients treated with glatiramer acetate (GA) and 21 patients treated with interferon beta 1-a (IFN): IL-10, BAFF, Mx1, IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 (at baseline and after 6 months of treatment). All participants had confirmed MS diagnosis. Objectives The primary objective is to assess a percentual change of biomarkers after 6 months since the first-line treatment initiation with GA or IFN. The secondary objective is to explore correlations between the baseline biomarkers‘ values (levels). Results A positive trend was observed in the increase in IL-10 concentration by 30.33 % (IFN) and by 15.65 % (GA). In the IFN group, we observed a statistically significant increase in the BAFF protein concentration by 29.9% (P Conclusions Our results suggest that treatment with IFN and GA has a more pronounced influence on the B cell system of MS.