Pharmacogenomics for predicting liver toxicity in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta

Project objectives

The study's objective is to evaluate the possibility of using pharmacogenomics to identify MS patients at increased risk of developing interferon-induced liver toxicity. To this end, the presence of specific polymorphisms in genes associated with liver damage will be examined in a cohort of 125 MS patients treated with high-dose subcutaneous interferon beta 1a, and the association between genotype and liver toxicity will be assessed. The ultimate goal is to classify MS patients before initiating therapy, identifying those who can receive high-dose interferon beta without any liver risk and those at high risk of developing liver toxicity, in whom other therapeutic options would be best considered.

Start and end date

2018 - 2019

Project Manager

Prof. Vincenzo Di Lazzaro - Director of the Neurology Research Unit

Coordinating institution of the project

Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma

Other Institutions involved

Funding source(s).

Non-Profit Project (created with the contribution of Merck)