Method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis that includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-21 receptor antagonist, wherein the subject has failed to respond treatment with beta interferon, thereby treating the subject.

1 . A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis, comprising
 administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-2 receptor antagonist in the absence of treatment with beta interferon,   wherein the subject has failed to respond to previous treatment with beta interferon,   thereby ameliorating a sign or symptom of multiple sclerosis and treating the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IL-2 receptor antagonist is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the IL-2 antagonist comprises an antibody that specifically binds the IL-2 receptor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody is a humanized monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the antibody specifically binds p55. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the antibody is administered at a dose of about 1 to about 3 milligrams per kilogram intravenously. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the antibody is administered at a dose of about 1 per kilogram to about 2 milligrams per kilogram intravenously. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the antibody is administered biweekly. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein treatment of the subject results in a decreased number of contrast enhancing-lesions as evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment with beta interferon comprises treatment with interferon-beta 1a. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment with beta interferon comprises treatment with interferon-beta 1b. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has progressive multiple sclerosis. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis, comprising administering to the subject intravenously a therapeutically effective amount of a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds the interleukin-2 receptor, and wherein the humanized monoclonal antibody is administered at least biweekly for a period of at least two months, thereby treating the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the subject is not treated with interferon-β. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the antibody is administered at a dose of about 1 to about 3 milligrams per kilogram. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the antibody is administered at a dose of about 1 per kilogram to about 2 milligrams per kilogram. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the humanized monoclonal antibody specifically binds p55. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subject has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. 
     
     
         20 . A method for identifying a subject responsive to treatment with an IL-2 receptor antagonist, comprising selecting a subject that has multiple sclerosis that has not responded to treatment with interferon-beta, thereby identifying the subject responsive to treatment with the IL-2 receptor antagonist. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the IL-2 receptor antagonist comprises an antibody that specifically binds p55. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is a humanized monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the interferon-beta comprises interferon-beta 1a. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the interferon comprises interferon-beta 1b. 
     
     
         27 . A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis, comprising
 selecting a subject who has been treated with interferon-beta and failed to respond to the interferon-beta treatment;   administering to the subject intravenously a therapeutically effective amount of a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically binds the interleukin-2 receptor, wherein the subject is not treated with interferon-β,   thereby treating the subject.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the humanized monoclonal antibody is administered at least biweekly for a period of at least two months.