MS treatment; antibodies against interferon

Posted By  CCF Neuro MD on October 22, 1997 at 16:43:02:

In Reply to: MS treatment; antibodies against interferon  posted by Peter Sparer on September 09, 1997 at 09:12:27:

: Is there any evidence, that neutralizing antibodies against Betaseron or Avonex can neutralize also self produced alpha interferon?

[CF-Neuro-MD]

Dear Peter,
Hello, That is a good question!  The way that they test for the antibodies
is that they do a test in a lab and they determine the activity  in a very indirect manner.  
There is no test to determine if the natural interferons are being neutralized by the
antibodies.  They do know that the interferon has many areas where the antibody could attach and not necessarily effect the function of the interferons.
The subject is still a bit "fuzzy" but now anew blood test for interferon level is out nad this may help to clarify the issue.
Thanks for the brain teaser question!