PhD candidate, neuroimmunology laboratory, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Stephanie Blandford, MSc

“The problem with targeting cytokines and cytokine receptors for treatment options is that they have a lot to do with the balance between the factors that cause damage, and those that cause damage to be resolved.”

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) may be a useful biomarker for 

predicting disability in people with multiple sclerosis

 (MS), according to a recent study presented at the 

Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2021

Study presenter Stephanie Blandford, MSc, PhD candidate, Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and colleagues found that, independent of variables such as age, sex, disease-modifying therapy or previous relapse activity, plasma IL-1RA levels were correlated with expanded disability status scale score. They also found cerebrospinal fluid IL-1RA to be significantly correlated with neurofilament light levels.

 spoke with Blandford about the potential of IL-1RA as a treatment for MS inflammation as well as its utility as a biomarker for disability. She discussed the little-understood intertwined processes of cytokines that make it difficult to target them without affecting other processes in the body.

For more coverage of ACTRIMS Forum 2021, 

Blandford SN, Galloway D, Williams JB, et al. Il-1 receptor antagonist: A novel soluble biomarker that correlates with disability and neurofilament light in multiple sclerosis. Presented at ACTRIMS Annual Forum; February 25-27, 2021. Abstract P019.

Videos

The PhD candidate at the neuroimmunology laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland discussed the potential of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist as a biomarker in MS disability as well as a therapeutic target. 

Challenges of Targeting Cytokines in MS: Stephanie Blandford, MSc

“If there are basic scientists or clinical researchers that are interested in partnering with you, in order to get biologic samples, take the opportunity to partner with them... that sort of thing matters because basic scientists need clinicians and biological samples.”

Recent data has suggested that the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) biomarker can 

predict disability in people with multiple sclerosis 

(MS). These findings were presented at the 

, February 25-27, by Stephanie Blandford, MSc, PhD candidate, Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Blandford and colleagues found that IL-1RA levels in plasma correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale score independent of other variables such as age, sex, disease-modifying therapy, or previous relapse activity. Cerebrospinal fluid IL-1RA was also found to be significantly correlated with neurofilament light levels.

 spoke with Blandford to learn more about further research investigating IL-1RA in MS with different patient populations. She also spoke to the importance of physicians and organizations collaborating with researchers and statisticians.

Blandford SN, Galloway D, Williams JB, et al. Il-1 receptor antagonist: A novel soluble biomarker that correlates with disabilty and neurofilament light in multiple sclerosis. Presented at ACTRIMS Annual Forum; February 25-27, 2021. Abstract P019.

The PhD candidate at the neuroimmunology laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland discussed further research she would like to see conducted with IL-1RA in MS. 

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonism and Multiple Sclerosis: Stephanie Blandford, MSc

“If we can predict when an individual might experience a relapse or an increase in disability level based on a blood test, then they can make arrangements, they can be prepared, and just have a greater sense of autonomy over their disease.”

Data from a recent study presented at the 

Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS)

, February 25-27, 2021, suggest that the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) biomarker can 

Stephanie Blandford, MSc, PhD candidate, Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and colleagues presented the data which suggest that IL-1RA levels in plasma correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale score independent of other variables such as age, sex, disease-modifying therapy, or previous relapse activity. They also found cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-1RA to be significantly correlated with neurofilament light (NfL).

 spoke with Blandford to learn more about the advantages of using IL-1RA as a biomarker over NfL for patients with MS. She also discussed further studies she would like to see conducted with the biomarker.

The PhD candidate at the neuroimmunology laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland discussed her team’s investigations into the use of IL-1RA as a biomarker for MS disability. 

Stephanie Blandford, MSc

Articles

Challenges of Targeting Cytokines in MS: Stephanie Blandford, MSc

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonism and Multiple Sclerosis: Stephanie Blandford, MSc

Predicting MS Disability With IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Levels: Stephanie Blandford, MSc