Immunogenicity of interferon beta: differences among products

Protein-based therapies are useful in a variety of diseases; however, their potential for immunogenicity is a disadvantage. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that develop to interferon beta (IFNbeta) products (IFNbeta-1b, IFNbeta-1a-Avonex(R), or IFNbeta-1a-Rebif(R)), which are first-line therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, are reported to reduce the clinical efficacy of these agents. In individual clinical studies of each commercially available IFNbeta product, 28% to 47% of patients develop NAbs to IFNbeta-1b, 12% to 28% to IFNbeta-1a-Rebif, and 2% to 6% to IFNbeta-1a-Avonex. Problems exist in comparing the incidence of NAbs among IFNbeta products across studies because of differences in study methodology, including assay methods, treatment duration, and the definition of NAb positive. Results from studies that have directly compared these products are consistent with results from the respective clinical trials of IFNbetas. Both the clinical trials and the independent studies have shown that NAbs develop more frequently with IFNbeta-1b treatment than with IFNbeta-1a treatment and that, among IFNbeta-1a products, NAbs develop more frequently with IFNbeta-1a-Rebif treatment than with IFNbeta-1a-Avonex treatment. Factors that may affect the immunogenicity of IFNbetas, including the dosing regimens and the biochemical properties of the products, are discussed.