Genetics

This blog post dives into a 2009 study exploring whether certain genetic markers—specifically HLA class I and II alleles—can predict how well patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) respond to interferon-beta therapy. Despite the known link between HLA genes and MS risk, researchers found no significant differences in HLA gene frequencies between patients who responded well to treatment and those who didn’t. The takeaway? While your HLA type might influence your chances of developing MS, it doesn’t seem to affect how effective interferon-beta will be for you—highlighting the complexity of personalized medicine in MS care.