Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonism and Multiple Sclerosis: Stephanie Blandford, MSc

“If there are basic scientists or clinical researchers that are interested in partnering with you, in order to get biologic samples, take the opportunity to partner with them... that sort of thing matters because basic scientists need clinicians and biological samples.”

Recent data has suggested that the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) biomarker can predict disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). These findings were presented at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2021, February 25-27, by Stephanie Blandford, MSc, PhD candidate, Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Blandford and colleagues found that IL-1RA levels in plasma correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale score independent of other variables such as age, sex, disease-modifying therapy, or previous relapse activity. Cerebrospinal fluid IL-1RA was also found to be significantly correlated with neurofilament light levels.

NeurologyLive spoke with Blandford to learn more about further research investigating IL-1RA in MS with different patient populations. She also spoke to the importance of physicians and organizations collaborating with researchers and statisticians.

For more coverage of ACTRIMS Forum 2021, click here.

REFERENCES

Blandford SN, Galloway D, Williams JB, et al. Il-1 receptor antagonist: A novel soluble biomarker that correlates with disabilty and neurofilament light in multiple sclerosis. Presented at ACTRIMS Annual Forum; February 25-27, 2021. Abstract P019.