Pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA blood level in multiple sclerosis is related to treatment response and interferon-beta dose

Of 37 multiple sclerosis patients, 19 suboptimal responders were randomized to 375 (n = 12) or 250 µg (n = 7) interferon (IFN)-β-1b. mRNA levels of 23 cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors were quantified by TaqMan® low-density array (TLDA) real-time polymerase chain reaction. Better treatment responses or increased IFN-β doses were associated with elevated IL-10 and TGF-β and decreased CXCL10, IL-18, IFN-γ, and TNF-α transcript levels. Adjusting for dose, poor treatment responses resulted in a 4-fold increase in CXCL10 and IFN-γ expression (Mantel-Haenszel RR = 3.74, p < 0.0001). CXCL10 and IFN-γ mRNA levels were reliable indicators of treatment response. TLDA can be used to tailor IFN-β-1b therapy.