Can we predict flu-like symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon-β?

Interferon-beta1b treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis can frequently induce systemic side effects such as flu-like symptoms with fever. In vitro stimulation of peripheral blood leukocytes with interferon-beta1b before the beginning of therapy shows that patients who develop fever generally have increased levels of interleukin-6.