Profiling serum neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein in primary progressive multiple sclerosis

Abstract

This study examined the utility of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) as biomarkers in primary progressive multiple sclerosis in context with clinical severity, progression, and treatment. Using a single-molecule array (Quanterix), serum protein concentrations were measured from twenty-five participants semiannually for five years. There was no association between levels of either biomarker and disease severity, disease duration, or treatment group. Enrollment sNfL level was not associated with future clinical worsening. Precedent clinical worsening was not associated with last sGFAP measurement. These results suggest a limited role for these biomarkers in primary progressive disease management.

Keywords: Biomarker; Disease management; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; Neurofilament light chain; Primary progressive multiple sclerosis.