Genetic differences explain MS treatment variations

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) sufferers can puzzle medical professionals sometimes. Standard treatments that work on some just don't work on other. From a genetic standpoint, some genetic differences at play within patients may explain this, according to a new study out of Europe.

Relapsing-remitting MS is the most common form of the disease, so international researchers extracted the DNA from those MS patients who had full symptom reduction after having used interferon therapy. It then collected DNA from those who also received the same type of therapy, but who suffered relapses after this therapy.

The differences discovered in the two groups pointed to specific genetic differences in the two MS groups. Customizing treatment per patient would be a end goal of medical professionals (compared to "blanket" treatments that are not as effective for some) -- this this new discovery fits squarely in that camp. Researchers wrote "in the absence of prognostic clinical, neuroradiological and/or immunological markers of response, the question remains who and when to treat when adverse effects, inconvenience and the cost of drugs are significant."

And, when insurance companies start balking at the price of treatment for those suffering from MS with valid insurance coverage, I suppose.