Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune inflammatory disease of the CNS. A poor response to treatment with recombinant interferon beta (IFN-ß) in NMO patients has been suggested, although the precise mechanisms remain uncertain. We analyzed occurrence and clinical consequences of IFN-neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in 15 IFN-ß treated NMO-patients from a population-based retrospective case series cohort. NMO patients not treated with IFN-ß acted as a reference group. IFN-ß antibody determinations included binding antibodies (BAbs) measured by immunoassay and NAbs measured by a neutralization bioassay. Antibodies were determined 6-36months after initiation of IFN-β therapy and NAbs additionally 5-10years post-therapy. BAbs were detected in 14/15 NMO patients; 6/15 were NAbs-positive (3 at 5-10years post-therapy) two of those anti-AQP4 antibody-positive; seven of the nine NAbs-negative patients were anti-AQP4 antibody-positive. Eleven patients (three NAbs-positive, eight NAbs-negative) developed cerebral lesions and 12 patients (four NAbs-positive, eight NAbs-negative) spinal cord lesions on magnetic resonance imaging as gadolinium positive lesions or T2-weighted lesions, at significantly higher frequencies than NMO reference group (p<0.009). Exacerbation occurred within 90days in four and 6-36months in eight patients. Progression of disease activity in NMO patients occurred during IFN-β treatment, irrespective of IFN-neutralizing antibody status.

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