Dataset Information

Temporal profile of serum neurofilament light in multiple sclerosis: Implications for patient monitoring.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To understand how longitudinal serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) patterns can inform its use as a prognostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS) and evaluate whether sNfL reflects MS disease activity and disease-modifying therapy usage.

Methods

This was a post hoc analysis of longitudinal data and samples from the ADVANCE trial (NCT00906399) of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). sNfL was measured every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 4 years. Regression models explored how sNfL data predicted 4-year values of brain volume, expanded disability status scale score, and T2 lesions. sNfL levels were assessed in those receiving placebo, peginterferon beta-1a, and those with disease activity.

Results

Baseline sNfL was a predictor of 4-year brain atrophy and development of new T2 lesions. Clinical (p = 0.02) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (p < 0.01) outcomes improved in those receiving peginterferon beta-1a whose sNfL decreased to <16 pg/mL after 12 months versus those whose sNfL remained ⩾16 pg/mL. Mean sNfL levels decreased in peginterferon beta-1a-treated patients and increased in placebo-treated patients (-9.5% vs. 6.8%; p < 0.01). sNfL was higher and more variable in patients with evidence of active MS.

Conclusion

These data support sNfL as a prognostic and disease-monitoring biomarker for RRMS.

SUBMITTER: Calabresi PA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8414824 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:ImportanceUnrecognized demyelinating events often precede the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). Identification of these events at the time of occurrence would have implications for early diagnosis and the search of causal factors for the disease.ObjectiveTo assess whether serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are elevated before the clinical MS onset.Design, setting, and participantsNested case-control study among US military personnel who have serum samples stored in the US Department of Defense Serum Repository. Serum samples were collected from 2000 to 2011; sNfL assays and data analyses were performed from 2018 to 2019. We selected 60 case patients with MS who either had 2 samples collected before onset (mean follow-up, 6.3 years) or 1 sample collected before and 1 after onset (mean follow-up, 1.3 years), among 245 previously identified case patients. For each case, we randomly selected 1 of 2 previously identified control individuals matched by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and dates of sample collection. The sample size was chosen based on the available funding.ExposuresSerum NfL concentrations measured using an ultrasensitive single-molecule array assay (Simoa).Main outcomes and measurementsLog-transformed sNfL concentrations in case patients and control individuals compared using conditional logistic regression and linear mixed models.ResultsMean age at baseline was 27.5 years, and 92 of 120 participants (76.7%) were men. Serum NfL levels were higher in case patients with MS compared with their matched control individuals in samples drawn a median of 6 years (range, 4-10 years) before the clinical onset (median, 16.7 pg/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 12.6-23.1 pg/mL vs 15.2 pg/m; IQR, 10.3-19.9 pg/mL; P = .04). This difference increased with decreasing time to the case clinical onset (estimated coefficient for interaction with time = 0.063; P = .008). A within-person increase in presymptomatic sNfL levels was associated with higher MS risk (rate ratio for ≥5 pg/mL increase, 7.50; 95% CI, 1.72-32.80). The clinical onset was associated with a marked increase in sNfL levels (median, 25.0; IQR, 17.1-41.3 vs 45.1; IQR, 27.0-102.7 pg/mL for presymptomatic and postonset MS samples; P = .009).Conclusions and relevanceThe levels of sNfL were increased 6 years before the clinical MS onset, indicating that MS may have a prodromal phase lasting several years and that neuroaxonal damage occurs already during this phase.