Access to NAbs testing important for MS therapy management

Apr 17 2010

Teva Neuroscience today announced results at the 62^nd American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting which demonstrated that eliminating barriers to neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) testing significantly impacted multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment choices in patients receiving interferon beta (IFNβ) therapies.

“Neutralizing Antibodies and Disease-Modifying Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis”

"One of the most common barriers for NAbs testing is the current lack of reimbursement for the tests," said lead study investigator, Dr. Barbara Green, Director West County MS Center, St. John's Mercy Medical Center. "Our results indicate that access to NAbs testing may be an important consideration surrounding MS therapy decisions."

IFNβ therapies for MS are associated with the development of NAbs in some patients. NAbs are antibodies produced by the body, which react with a foreign agent and destroy it or inhibit its effect. This study explored whether removing barriers to antibody testing impacted treatment decisions for MS patients receiving IFNβ therapies (1-4 years).

Currently, only Europe has guidelines recommending that IFNβ patients be tested at 12 and 24 months for NAbs. The guidelines also recommend that testing should be repeated in patients who test positive for NAbs, and therapy with IFNβ should be discontinued in patients with high titers of NAbs sustained at repeated measurements at three to six month intervals.