Downregulation of VLA-4 on T cells as a marker of long term treatment response to interferon beta-1a in MS

We determined longitudinally the expression of a panel of adhesion molecules on T cells and soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and tumor necrosis factor apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in serum during first year of the PRISMS Study with IFNβ1a in MS. Clinical data and quantitative MRI data were available for 4 years. VLA-4 was down-regulated on T cells and VCAM-1 was up-regulated in serum during the first 3 to 6 months of therapy in patients with favorable long-term treatment response (EDSS progression ≤ 1.0 in 4 years). Short disease duration and low EDSS were clinical pre-treatment characteristics related to good long-term response to therapy.