Author Topic: Smokers run increased risk of developing anti-natalizumab antibodies  (Read 163 times)

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Offline agate

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From Multiple Sclerosis Journal, December 5, 2013:

Quote
Smokers run increased risk of developing anti-natalizumab antibodies

AK Hedström1
L Alfredsson1
M Lundkvist Ryner2
A Fogdell-Hahn2
Jan Hillert2
T Olsson3

1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
2Multiple Sclerosis Research Group, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
3Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Anna Karin Hedström, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 14153, Sweden. Email: anna.hedstrom@ki.se

Background:

Smoking may contribute to the induction of neutralizing antibodies to interferon β-1a.

Objective:

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of smoking on the risk of developing antibodies to natalizumab, another biological drug in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Methods: This report is based on 1338 natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients included in either of two Swedish case-control studies in which information on smoking habits was collected. Using logistic regression, patients with different smoking habits were compared regarding risk of developing anti-natalizumab antibodies, by calculating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

 Compared with nonsmokers, the odds ratio of developing anti-natalizumab antibodies was 2.4 (95% CI 1.2–4.4) for patients who smoked at the time of screening, and a significant trend showed higher risk of developing antibodies with higher intensity of smoking. When smoking within two years prior to screening was considered, the odds ratio of developing anti-natalizumab antibodies was 2.7 (1.5–5.1).

Interpretations:

The finding strengthens our hypothesis of the lungs as immune-reactive organs on irritation in relation to autoimmune responses, and may also be of clinical relevance since antibodies against natalizumab abrogate the therapeutic effect of the treatment.

This abstract can be seen here.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2013, 10:36:41 am by agate »
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Offline agate

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The study has been summarized in the MS International Federation newsletter as well.
MS Speaks--online for 17 years

SPMS, diagnosed 1980. Avonex 2001-2004. Copaxone 2007-2010. Glatopa (glatiramer acetate 40mg 3 times/week) since 12/16/20.