IL28B polymorphisms are not associated with the response to interferon-beta in multiple sclerosis

Malhotra, Sunny et al.Recent studies have revealed an association between interleukin 28B (IL28B) and response to IFN-alpha treatment in hepatitis C patients. Here we investigated the influence of IL28B polymorphisms in the response to interferon-beta (IFNβ) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We genotyped two SNPs of the IL28B gene (rs8099917 and rs12979860) in 588 MS patients classified into responders (n = 281) and non-responders (n = 307) to IFNβ. Combined analysis of the study cohorts showed no significant associations between SNPs rs8099917 and rs12979860 and the response to treatment. These findings do not support a role of IL28B polymorphisms in the response to IFNβ in MS patients. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.This study was supported by a grant from the DANA Foundation's Neuroimmunology program. SM is early stage researcher funded by the European Community's Seventh Framework Program ([FP7/2007–2013]) under grant agreement no. 212877 (UEPHA*MS). The authors thank the “Red Española de Esclerosis Múltiple (REEM)” sponsored by the “Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria” (FIS), Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain, and the “Ajuts per donar Suport als Grups de Recerca de Catalunya (SGR 2005–1081)”, sponsored by the “Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca” (AGAUR), Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain. J Drulovic has received research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031).Peer Reviewe

IL28B polymorphisms are not associated with the response to interferon-beta in multiple sclerosis

Recent studies have revealed an association between interleukin 28B (IL28B) and response to IFN-alpha treatment in hepatitis C patients. Here we investigated the influence of IL28B polymorphisms in the response to interferon-beta (IFNβ) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We genotyped two SNPs of the IL28B gene (rs8099917 and rs12979860) in 588 MS patients classified into responders (n=281) and non-responders (n=307) to IFNβ. Combined analysis of the study cohorts showed no significant associations between SNPs rs8099917 and rs12979860 and the response to treatment. These findings do not support a role of IL28B polymorphisms in the response to IFNβ in MS patients