Two types of antibodies are formed in patients treated with interferons (IFNs): Binding antibodies and, a subset of binding antibodies, neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). These antibodies differ in several important ways:
| Binding Antibodies | Neutralizing Antibodies |
| Form in the majority of patients | Form in a smaller proportion of patients |
| Do not block therapeutic effects | Diminish therapeutic effects of IFN-b |
| Do not cause other deleterious effects | Exhibit cross reactivity between IFN-b-1a (Avonex®) and between IFN- |
| Typically measured by ELISA | Measured by tissue culture-based assay |
|
Session I Introduction Back |
More on NAbs and IFN-b Next |
Avonex is a registered trademark of Biogen, Inc.
Betaseron is a registered trademark of Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
