scholarly journals Implications of extreme serum neurofilament light chain levels for the management of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642110019
Author(s):  
Sinah Engel ◽  
Maria Protopapa ◽  
Falk Steffen ◽  
Vakis Papanastasiou ◽  
Christoforos Nicolaou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
The Mean

Background: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a promising biomarker to complement the decision-making process in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, although sNfL levels are able to detect disease activity and to predict future disability, the growing evidence has not yet been translated into practicable recommendations for an implementation into clinical routine. Methods: The observation of a patient with extensive inflammatory activity in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with an extremely high sNfL level in the absence of any clinical symptoms prompted us to investigate common characteristics of our MS patients with the highest sNfL levels in a retrospective cohort study. The 97.5th percentile was chosen as a cut-off value because the mean sNfL level of the resulting extreme neurofilament light chain (NfL) cohort corresponded well to the sNfL level of the presented case. Patient characterization included clinical and MRI assessment with a focus on disease activity markers. sNfL levels were determined by single molecule array. Results: The 97.5th percentile of our MS cohort (958 sNfL measurements in 455 patients) corresponded to a threshold value of 46.1 pg/ml. The mean sNfL level of the extreme sNfL cohort ( n = 24) was 95.6 pg/ml (standard deviation 68.4). Interestingly, only 15 patients suffered from a relapse at the time point of sample collection, whereas nine patients showed no signs of clinical disease activity. sNfL levels of patients with and without relapse did not differ [median 81.3 pg/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 48.0–128) versus 80.2 pg/ml (IQR 46.4–97.6), p = 0.815]. The proportion of patients with contrast-enhancing lesions was high and also did not differ between patients with and without relapse (92.9% versus 87.5%, p = 0.538); 78.9% of the patients not receiving a high-efficacious therapy had ongoing disease activity during a 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: Extremely high sNfL levels are indicative of subclinical disease activity and might complement treatment decisions in ambiguous cases.

scholarly journals Serum neurofilament light chain is a useful biomarker in pediatric multiple sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Christine Reinert ◽  
Pascal Benkert ◽  
Jens Wuerfel ◽  
Zuzanna Michalak ◽  
Esther Ruberte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Interferon Beta ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Potential Biomarker

ObjectiveTo investigate serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as a potential biomarker for disease activity and treatment response in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, sNfL levels were measured in a pediatric MS cohort (n = 55, follow-up 12–105 months) and in a non-neurologic pediatric control cohort (n = 301) using a high-sensitivity single-molecule array assay. Association of sNfL levels and treatment and clinical and MRI parameters were calculated.ResultsUntreated patients had higher sNfL levels than controls (median 19.0 vs 4.6 pg/mL; CI [4.732, 6.911]), p < 0.001). sNfL levels were significantly associated with MRI activity (+9.1% per contrast-enhancing lesion, CI [1.045, 1.138], p < 0.001; +0.6% per T2-weighted lesion, CI [1.001, 1.010], p = 0.015). Higher values were associated with a relapse <90 days ago (+51.1%; CI [1.184, 1.929], p < 0.001) and a higher Expanded Disability Status Scale score (CI [1.001, 1.240], p = 0.048). In patients treated with interferon beta-1a/b (n = 27), sNfL levels declined from 14.7 to 7.9 pg/mL after 6 ± 2 months (CI [0.339, 0.603], p < 0.001). Patients with insufficient control of clinical or MRI disease activity under treatment with interferon beta-1a/b or glatiramer acetate who switched to fingolimod (n = 18) showed a reduction of sNfL levels from 16.5 to 10.0 pg/mL 6 ± 2 months after switch (CI [0.481, 0.701], p < 0.001).ConclusionssNfL is a useful biomarker for monitoring disease activity and treatment response in pediatric MS. It is most likely helpful to predict disease severity and to guide treatment decisions in patients with pediatric MS. This study provides Class III evidence that sNfL levels are associated with disease activity in pediatric MS.

Longitudinal analysis of serum neurofilament light chain: A potential therapeutic monitoring biomarker for multiple sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 659-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Won Hyun ◽  
Yeseul Kim ◽  
Gayoung Kim ◽  
Su-Hyun Kim ◽  
Ho Jin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Longitudinal Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Monitoring ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Potential Biomarker

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 multiple time 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.

Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Are Associated with Disease Activity Determined by No Evident Disease Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jarmila Szilasiová ◽  
Jaroslav Rosenberger ◽  
Miriam Fedičová ◽  
Pavol Mikula ◽  
Peter Urban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Disability Score ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There is a need for blood biomarkers of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) and disease activity as defined by the concept three-domain no evident disease activity (NEDA-3). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Levels of pNfL (SIMOA) were examined in 159 MS patients and analyzed in relationship to NEDA-3 status (absence of relapse, disability score worsening, and brain magnetic resonance activity) during the last 12 months. The accuracy of the proposed model was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. From the pNfL cutoff, we evaluated the NEDA-NfL status (no relapse, no Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] worsening, and pNfL below the cutoff value). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Levels of pNfL were significantly higher in MS patients than in healthy controls (<i>p</i> &#x3c;  0.001). From a total of 159 patients, 80 (50.3%) achieved NEDA-3 status, while 79 (49.7%) patients showed evident disease activity (EDA) status. pNfL were significantly lower in the NEDA-3 group than in the EDA group (pNfL mean 7.06 pg/mL [standard deviation (SD) 2.37] vs. pNfL mean 13.04 pg/mL [SD 7.07]) (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). ROC analysis showed that pNfL predicts NEDA-3 status (sensitivity and specificity were 80.5 and 72.7%, respectively, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and NEDA-NfL predicts NEDA-3 status (sensitivity and specificity were 97.1 and 82.9%, respectively, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The results show that pNfL levels are a useful biomarker of disease activity determined by NEDA status in patients with MS and could be an alternative to brain magnetic resonance investigation.

scholarly journals Detection of Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light Chain as a Marker for Alpha-Synucleinopathies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sezgi Canaslan ◽  
Matthias Schmitz ◽  
Anna Villar-Piqué ◽  
Fabian Maass ◽  
Karin Gmitterová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Test System ◽  
Marker Protein ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Different Types

Alpha-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), are a class of neurodegenerative diseases. A diagnosis may be challenging because clinical symptoms partially overlap, and there is currently no reliable diagnostic test available. Therefore, we aimed to identify a suitable marker protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to distinguish either between different types of alpha-synucleinopathies or between alpha-synucleinopathies and controls. In this study, the regulation of different marker protein candidates, such as alpha-synuclein (a-Syn), neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and total tau (tau) in different types of alpha-synucleinopathies, had been analyzed by using an ultrasensitive test system called single-molecule array (SIMOA). Interestingly, we observed that CSF-NfL was significantly elevated in patients with DLB and MSA compared to patients with PD or control donors. To differentiate between groups, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis resulted in a very good diagnostic accuracy as indicated by the area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.87–0.92 for CSF-NfL. Furthermore, we observed that GFAP and tau were slightly increased either in DLB or MSA, while a-Syn levels remained unregulated. Our study suggests NfL as a promising marker to discriminate between different types of alpha-synucleinopathies or between DLB/MSA and controls.

Serum neurofilament light chain is a biomarker of acute and chronic neuronal damage in early multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 678-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelly Siller ◽  
Jens Kuhle ◽  
Muthuraman Muthuraman ◽  
Christian Barro ◽  
Timo Uphaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Axonal Damage ◽  
Lesion Volume ◽  
Neurofilament Light Chain ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Brain Parenchymal

Background: Monitoring neuronal injury remains one key challenge in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Upon axonal damage, neurofilament – a major component of the neuro-axonal cytoskeleton – is released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and subsequently peripheral blood. Objective: To investigate the relevance of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) for acute and chronic axonal damage in early RRMS. Methods: sNfL levels were determined in 74 patients (63 therapy-naive) with recently diagnosed clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or RRMS using Single Molecule Array technology. Standardized 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline and 1–3 consecutive follow-ups (42 patients; range: 6–37 months). Results: Baseline sNfL correlated significantly with T2 lesion volume ( r = 0.555, p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between baseline sNfL and age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score or other calculated MRI measures. However, T2 lesion volume increased ( r = 0.67, p < 0.0001) and brain parenchymal volume decreased more rapidly in patients with higher baseline sNfL ( r = −0.623, p = 0.0004). Gd-enhancing lesions correlated positively with sNfL levels. Initiation of disease-modifying treatment led to a significant decrease in sNfL levels. Conclusion: sNfL indicates acute inflammation as demonstrated by correlation with Gd+ lesions. It is a promising biomarker for neuro-axonal damage in early multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, since higher baseline sNfL levels predicted future brain atrophy within 2 years.

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