Interferon Beta-1b (Betaseron)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Interferon Beta-1b

What it is

Interferon beta-1b is a manufactured version of the immune signalling protein interferon beta, made in bacteria. In multiple sclerosis it calms the immune attack on the nerves of the brain and spinal cord and reduces relapses. It is injected under the skin every other day and sold as Betaseron and Extavia.

How genes come into it

As a protein, interferon beta is not broken down by drug-processing enzymes. Studies, several of them genome-wide, have searched for genes that predict who has fewer relapses on interferon beta, flagging GAPVD1, CD58, FHIT, ZNF697 and HLA genes; none has been confirmed independently. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Interferon Beta-1b. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (11 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

IRF6 rs2205986: Level 3. Toxicity: Drug-induced liver injury, Multiple Sclerosis. 1.

CD58 rs12044852: Level 3. Efficacy: Multiple Sclerosis. 1.

rs4278350: Level 3. Efficacy: Multiple Sclerosis. 1.

ZNF697 rs10494227: Level 3. Efficacy: Multiple Sclerosis. 1.

Response (9 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

rs1448673: Allele G is associated with increased response to interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b in people with Multiple Sclerosis as compared to allele A.

rs3133084: Allele A is associated with increased response to interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b in people with Multiple Sclerosis as compared to allele G.

rs4278350: Allele T is associated with increased response to interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b in people with Multiple Sclerosis as compared to allele C.

CD58 rs12044852: Genotype CC is associated with decreased response to interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b in people with Multiple Sclerosis as compared to genotypes AA + AC.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Avonex (Interferons)

Interferon alfa-2a (Interferons)

Interferon alfa-2b (Interferons)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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