IL-7 Level May Mark Interferon Responsiveness

These results obviously need to be validated in a larger, prospectively determined cohort with appropriate MRI monitoring for subclinical MS disease activity. Past experience with MS clinical trials and our evolving knowledge of the complexity of the immune alterations in MS suggest that focusing on changes in one or two cytokines and concepts such at “T_H1-driven” and “T_H17-driven” forms of the disease are likely oversimplifications, although they may serve as useful constructs for future investigation.

JONATHAN L. CARTER, M.D., is an associate professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. He specializes in multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and neuroimmunology. He has no relevant disclosures.