Interferon alpha (IFNα) has been widely used to treat chronic viral hepatitis and a wide variety of malignant diseases, including hairy cell leukemia, basal cell carcinoma, chronic myeloid leukemia and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Several different recombinant preparations of IFNα are available commercially; the most commonly used formulations include IFNα2a and IFNα2b. A number of studies have shown that development of anti-IFNα neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is correlated with a loss of IFNα treatment efficacy. 

 

Interferon beta (IFNβ) is well established as first line therapy in relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. The occurrence of NAbs and binding antibodies (BAbs) to IFNβ has been widely reported. Subjects with NAbs have shown reduced response to treatment with IFNβ, having higher relapse rates, increased MRI activity and higher risk of disease progression. The frequencies and titers of NAbs vary depending on the preparation used, dose and frequency of administration and also the assay used to quantify them.