Natalizumab Reduces a Proposed Biomarker of Axonal Damage

Patients with multiple sclerosis had reduced levels of neurofilament light chain protein in cerebrospinal fluid after treatment with this immunomodulating drug.

Clinical investigators are interested in new biomarkers to characterize multiple sclerosis (MS) prognosis and to measure treatment response. In patients with MS, levels of neurofilament proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) correlate with clinical activity, magnetic resonance imaging measures of disease activity, and prognosis. Now, investigators have conducted an open-label study in 92 patients with highly active MS who decided to initiate natalizumab treatment. One third of the patients had a clinical relapse within 3 months before starting natalizumab, and 94% had been using another MS therapy. Recent use of intravenous glucocorticoids and the washout time after other MS therapies were not reported. CSF was collected for measurements of …

Reviewing Author

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)