Chitinase 3-like 1 is associated with the response to interferon-beta treatment in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) plays a prognostic role in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigated a potential association between CHI3L1 and the response to interferon-beta (IFNβ) and glatiramer acetate (GA). Serum CHI3L1 levels were measured by ELISA in 117 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, 76 IFNβ-treated and 41 GA-treated patients. CHI3L1 levels were increased by GA (p = 0.014) but unchanged by IFNβ (p = 0.830). CHI3L1 was associated with IFNβ response and levels were higher in non-responder group (p = 0.020), while GA showed no responder effect (p = 0.943). These results suggest a role for CHI3L1 as response biomarker to IFNβ in RRMS patients.