Real-time TaqMan assay for myxovirus resistance protein (MxA) mRNA: a robust marker of interferon beta bioactivity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

For many patients suffering from MS, interferon beta (IFNß) is an effective therapeutic option; however, some patients who receive long-term IFNß therapy for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) develop neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that affect IFNß efficacy. It is therefore important to evaluate patients' therapeutic response to IFNß over time. Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), a surrogate marker of individual immunologic response to IFNß, may be a useful tool for assessing IFNß immunogenicity. The real-time TaqMan assay for MxA messenger RNA (mRNA) has several distinct advantages, including the ability to amplify and complete quantitative analyses in one step, a high degree of quality control and prior experience and confidence in the field of quantitative viral diagnostics. The realtime TaqMan assay for MxA mRNA can be incorporated as a component of IFNß therapy to evaluate patients during the course of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]