Tumor Necrosis Factor- alpha and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Interferon- beta 1a

To examine the effect of high-dose interferon (IFN)- beta 1a [44 mu g administered subcutaneously (sc) 3 times weekly (tiw)] on tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF- alpha ) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and any correlation with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Previously treatment-naive patients with RRMS and an Expanded Disability Status Scale score less than or equal to 3.5 were enrolled. At baseline, monthly for the first 5 months, and then after 12 months of treatment with 44 mu g sc tiw of IFN- beta 1a, all patients underwent clinical examination, assessment of serum TNF- alpha and IGF-1 levels and baseline, 5th, and 12th months to MRI scanning. Mean TNF- alpha values decreased significantly from months 0 to 12 of the study (P = 0.003), but mean IGF-1 values showed a nonsignificant reduction (P = 0.265). Serum levels of TNF- alpha and IGF-1 were sometimes correlated throughout the study, but no significant interactions were observed between serum TNF- alpha or IGF-1 and clinical or MRI findings. A borderline significant trend toward higher basal TNF- alpha levels was found in patients who developed new T1 lesions at 12 months compared with those who did not (P = 0.057). Interferon- beta 1a therapy may reduce serum TNF- alpha levels in patients with RRMS, without a clear correlation with disease activity.