Diagnosis and Prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis

摘要

The present invention provides a method for determining whether an individual with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis will suffer a relapse or respond to treatment for MS. A ratio of mRNA levels of Response Gene to Complement-32, FasL or IL-21 to L13 determined for an individual provides a normalized level which is compared to a cut-off value. A normalized level of Response Gene to Complement-32 greater than 2.52, a normalized level of FasL greater than 85.4 and a normalized level of IL-21 less than 11.9, respectively, indicates the individual will have or is having a relapse of multiple sclerosis. Also provided are methods for determining whether an individual will respond positively or is responding positively to glatiramer treatment and whether the individual is in a period of stable disease or is not at risk for relapse of multiple sclerosis by comparing normalized levels with the respective cut-off levels.

主权项

1. A method for determining whether an individual with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis will suffer a relapse, comprising the step of:
measuring a first mRNA level of Response Gene to Complement-32, FasL or IL-21 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of said individual; measuring a second mRNA level of L13 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of said individual; calculating a ratio of the first mRNA level to the second mRNA level to obtain a normalized level of the Response Gene to Complement-32, FasL or IL-21; and comparing said normalized level to a cut-off value for Response Gene to Complement-32, FasL or IL-21 to determine whether said individual will have or is having a relapse of multiple sclerosis.