Neurofilament light chain predicts disease activity in relapsing-remitting MS

• Published in: Neurology : neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation Vol. 5; no. 1; p. e422
• Main Authors: Varhaug, Kristin N, Barro, Christian, Bjørnevik, Kjetil, Myhr, Kjell-Morten, Torkildsen, Øivind, Wergeland, Stig, Bindoff, Laurence A, Kuhle, Jens, Vedeler, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-01-2018
• ISSN: 2332-7812; 2332-7812
• DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000422

To investigate whether serum neurofilament light chain (NF-L) and chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) predict disease activity in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
A cohort of 85 patients with RRMS were followed for 2 years (6 months without disease-modifying treatment and 18 months with interferon-beta 1a [IFNB-1a]). Expanded Disability Status Scale was scored at baseline and every 6 months thereafter. MRI was performed at baseline and monthly for 9 months and then at months 12 and 24. Serum samples were collected at baseline and months 3, 6, 12, and 24. We analyzed the serum levels of NF-L using a single-molecule array assay and CHI3L1 by ELISA and estimated the association with clinical and MRI disease activity using mixed-effects models.
NF-L levels were significantly higher in patients with new T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions (37.3 pg/mL, interquartile range [IQR] 25.9-52.4) and new T2 lesions (37.3 pg/mL, IQR 25.1-48.5) compared with those without (28.0 pg/mL, IQR 21.9-36.4, β = 1.258,
< 0.001 and 27.7 pg/mL, IQR 21.8-35.1, β = 1.251,
< 0.001, respectively). NF-L levels were associated with the presence of T1 gadolinium-enhanced lesions up to 2 months before (
< 0.001) and 1 month after (
= 0.009) the time of biomarker measurement. NF-L levels fell after initiation of IFNB-1a treatment (
< 0.001). Changes in CHI3L1 were not associated with clinical or MRI disease activity or interferon-beta 1a treatment.
Serum NF-L could be a promising biomarker for subclinical MRI activity and treatment response in RRMS. In clinically stable patients, serum NF-L may offer an alternative to MRI monitoring for subclinical disease activity.
NCT00360906.