MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Hyun JW, Kim Y, Kim G, Kim SH and Kim HJ.

Mult Scler. 2019 Mar 26:1352458519840757

DOI: 10.1177/1352458519840757

Abstract:

Objectives::

Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) has been proposed a potential biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS) based on mainly cross-sectional observations in Western population. To clarify clinical implication of sNfL, we longitudinally analysed sNfL levels at multipletime points in Korean MS patients undergoing alemtuzumab therapy.

Methods::

Between 2016 and 2018, 144 sera from 17 MS patients treated with alemtuzumab at National Cancer Centre and 35 sera from 35 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were collected for a longitudinal study with a mean 21-month follow-up. The sera were measured for sNfL levels using single molecule array. Patients were classified into two groups: evidence of disease activity (EDA) or no evidence of disease activity (NEDA).

Results::

During alemtuzumab therapy, sNfL levels in EDA patients were significantly higher than those in NEDA patients and HCs ( p < 0.001). In longitudinal analysis, the sNfL levels were consistently low in NEDA patients, while it consistently increased in radiologically and/or clinically active status in EDA patients. All sNfL levels in radiologically and/or clinically active status samples were higher than those in inactive status samples.

Conclusion::

These results suggest that sNfL is a promising monitoring biomarker for personalized therapeutics in MS patients.