Abstract
Background: The neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a promising biomarker of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, progression, and response to treatment. During axonal injury, neurofilament proteins are released into the extracellular space and their levels in CSF and blood are reflecting the degree of axonal damage in MS.
Objective: To measure the value of serum NfL as a biomarker of disease activity and progression, and its usefulness to monitor treatment response in patients with MS.
Methods: Serum NfL levels were measured in 542 patients with demyelinating disease, including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; n=20), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n=341), secondary progressive MS (SPMS; n=138), primary progressive MS (PPMS; n=43) and 10 healthy controls (HC) using single-molecule array technology (SIMOA). Treatment strategies were classified as “no treatment”, “injectable” and “high efficacy”. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and patients’ demographics were also analysed.
Results: Serum NfL levels were significantly higher in patients with CIS vs HC (23.6 +/-3.4 vs 12.3 +/-1.6, p
Conclusion: Our findings support the potential value of serum NfL as a measure of disease activity and progression, and treatment response in multiple sclerosis