Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels in Patients with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Interferon-beta1a

To examine the effect of high-dose interferon (IFN)-β1a [44 μg administered subcutaneously (sc) 3 times weekly (tiw)] on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) 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 ≤ 3.5 were enrolled. At baseline, monthly for the fi rst 5 months, and then after 12 months of treatment with 44 μg sc tiw of IFN-β1a, all patients underwent clinical examination, assessment of serum TNF-α and IGF-1 levels and baseline, 5th, and 12th months to MRI scanning. Mean TNF-α values decreased signifi cantly from months 0 to 12 of the study (P = 0.003), but mean IGF-1 values showed a nonsignifi cant reduction (P = 0.265). Serum levels of TNF-α and IGF-1 were sometimes correlated throughout the study, but no signifi cant interactions were observed between serum TNF-α or IGF-1 and clinical or MRI fi ndings. A borderline signifi cant trend toward higher basal TNF-α levels was found in patients who developed new T1 lesions at 12 months compared with those who did not (P = 0.057). Interferon-β1a therapy may reduce serum TNF-α levels in patients with RRMS, without a clear correlation with disease activity.