PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Laura Azzopardi
AU  - Sara A J Thompson
AU  - Katherine E Harding
AU  - Mark Cossburn
AU  - Neil Robertson
AU  - Alastair Compston
AU  - Alasdair J Coles
AU  - Joanne L Jones
TI  - Predicting autoimmunity after alemtuzumab treatment of multiple sclerosis
AID  - 10.1136/jnnp-2013-307042
DP  - 2014 Jul 01
TA  - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
PG  - 795--798
VI  - 85
IP  - 7
4099  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/85/7/795.short
4100  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/85/7/795.full
SO  - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2014 Jul 01; 85
AB  - Objective We have previously shown that autoimmunity following alemtuzumab treatment of multiple sclerosis can be predicted by high baseline serum interleukin IL-21 (IL-21), as measured using a now ‘redundant’ enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Here we ask whether currently available ELISAs have similar prognostic value. Design Serum IL-21 from 141 individuals with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis was measured using the now ‘redundant’ IL-21 ELISA and five further currently available kits. All patients had been treated with alemtuzumab; 61/141 had developed secondary autoimmunity. Results The ‘redundant kit’, and one current kit, confirmed higher baseline serum IL-21 in patients with autoimmunity (542 pg/mL vs. 222 pg/mL and 53.1 pg/mL vs. 9.3 pg/mL respectively) and showed positive correlation. However, only the ‘redundant’ kit had predictive utility. Conclusions Currently available IL-21 ELISA kits should not be used to counsel individuals with multiple sclerosis considering treatment with alemtuzumab.