Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2022, 166(3):304-311 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2021.034

Associations between neurofilament light chain levels, disease activity and brain atrophy in progressive multiple sclerosis

Jarmila Szilasiovaa, e, Pavol Mikulab, Jaroslav Rosenbergerc, d, Miriam Fedicovae, Peter Urbanf, Lydia Frigovag, Marianna Vitkovaa, e, Zuzana Gdovinovaa, e, Jozef Hanesh, i, Eva Stevensi
a Department of Neurology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Slovak Republic
b Department of Social and Behavioral Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Slovak Republic
c Department of Health Psychology and Methodology of Research, II. Internal Clinic, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Slovak Republic
d Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic
e Department of Neurology, L. Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovak Republic
f Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Slovak Republic
g Pro Magnet Kosice, Slovak Republic
h Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
i AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Background: Neurofilament light chain is a promising biomarker of disease activity and treatment response in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Its role in progressive MS is less clear.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) and disease activity as defined by the concept NEDA-3 (No Evident Disease Activity), and brain volumetry, in a cohort of patients with the progressive disease form (PMS).

Methods: Levels of pNfL (SIMOA technology) were examined in 52 PMS patients and analysed in relationship to NEDA-3 status and annual brain volume loss (BVL) during the last 12 months. The statistical model was developed using logistic regression analysis, including demographic, clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data as independent variables. Dependent variables were NEDA-3 status and BVL.

Results: The mean age of the study participants (n=52, 50% females) was 45.85 (SD, 9.82) and the median disability score was 5.0 (IQR: 5.0-5.5). ROC analysis showed that pNfL predicts NEDA-3 (the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 77.8% and 87.6%, respectively, P<0.001) and abnormal BVL (the sensitivity and specificity were 96.6% and 68.2%, respectively, P<0.001).

Conclusions: The results show that pNfL levels are a useful biomarker of disease activity determined by NEDA-3 status, including brain MRI-volumetry, in patients with the progressive form of MS.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, progressive MS, neurofilament light chain, no evident disease activity, brain volume loss

Received: January 25, 2021; Revised: April 13, 2021; Accepted: May 24, 2021; Prepublished online: June 1, 2021; Published: September 14, 2022  Show citation

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Szilasiova, J., Mikula, P., Rosenberger, J., Fedicova, M., Urban, P., Frigova, L., ... Stevens, E. (2022). Associations between neurofilament light chain levels, disease activity and brain atrophy in progressive multiple sclerosis. Biomedical papers, 166(3), 304-311. doi: 10.5507/bp.2021.034
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