Neurofilament Light Chain Decreases with Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis

Neurofilament light chain, a neuronal protein elevated in neurologic conditions, is proposed as a biomarker of treatment response and prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS). Investigators evaluated 1139 patients who had measurement of serum neurofilament light (NfL), at two points — within a month of starting oral or infusible therapies (baseline) and again after at least 4 months.

Propensity scores were modeled to include baseline NfL level, demographic data, disability scores, and disease characteristics. The greatest reductions in NfL were seen in recipients of alemtuzumab, followed by natalizumab, fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, and teriflunomide.