Method for predicting post-therapy prognosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patient, and method for determining applicability of novel therapy
According to the present invention, the amount of a plasmablast (PB) in a sample of a relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patient can be measured, thereby predicting the therapeutic effect of interferon beta (IFN-β) or predicting a RRMS case for which the continuous administration of IFN-β is difficult due to the manifestation of a serious adverse reaction or the aggravation of concomitant immune disorder. In addition, the amount of PB in a sample of a RRMS patient can also be measured, thereby predicting the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor in the treatment of RRMS. As a result, a treatment method effective for patients not suitable for IFN-β in the treatment of RRMS can be provided.
1. A method for determining the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor on a relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patient and treating the patient, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) obtaining a biological sample from the patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, wherein the biological sample comprises a whole blood or peripheral blood sample;
(ii) measuring the amount of a plasmablast contained in the biological sample isolated from the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patient;
(iii) determining that the therapeutic effect of the IL-6 inhibitor is high when the amount of the plasmablast measured in the patient is high as compared with a healthy individual; and
(iv) administering an amount of the IL-6 inhibitor to the patient effective to treat the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the patient exhibiting a high amount of plasmablast.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the IL-6 inhibitor is an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody is a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein it is determined that the amount of a plasmablast is high when the ratio of the plasmablast to a CD19 + B cell in the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patient is 3.50% or more.
5. A method for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in a subject highly expressing a plasmablast, comprising administering to the subject highly expressing the plasmablast a therapeutic agent comprising an amount of an IL-6 inhibitor effective to treat the RRMS in the subject.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the IL-6 inhibitor is an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody is a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, or a human antibody.