Serum endothelial adhesion molecules levels correlate with lesion burden in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta-1b

The levels of serum-soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble e ndothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1, and the Gadolinium-enhanced T1-we ighted MRI were studied in a group of patients with relapsing-remitting mul tiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-lb and compared to a non-treat ed control group. The levels of serum-soluble intracellular adhesion molecu le-1 and soluble endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 increased, after three months treatment, as compared to baseline and the non-treated MS pat ients. A significant correlation was found in the treated group between ser um-soluble endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and the lesion area in the Gadolinium-enhancing (T2 weighted scan) MRI. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.