MEANS AND METHODS FOR CLASSIFYING SAMPLES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

摘要

The invention in one aspect provides a method for classifying cells from a human individual said method comprising: providing a sample comprising cells from said individual that are typically responsive to exposure to a type I interferon; determining a level of activity of a pathway that is modulated by type 1 interferon; and classifying said cells on the basis of the determined level of activity. Cells present in said sample are preferably cultured said cells in the presence of a type I interferon prior to determining a level of activity of said pathway. This is activity is preferably compared to the activity of said pathway in cells in said sample prior to said culture. Preferably the sample is from an individual that is not treated with a type I interferon prior to collecting said sample. Preferably the method is used to determine, prior to initiating treatment with a type I interferon, whether said individual is likely to be a good, a normal or a poor responder to the contemplated treatment.