Serum neurofilament light chain is a useful biomarker in pediatric multiple sclerosis
Marie‐Christine Reinert, Pascal Benkert, Jens Wuerfel, Zuzanna Michalak, Esther Ruberte, Christian Barro, Peter Huppke, Wiebke Stark, Harald Kropshofer, Davorka Tomic, David Leppert, Jens Kühle, Wolfgang Brück, Jutta Gärtner
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as a potential biomarker for disease activity and treatment response in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, sNfL levels were measured in a pediatric MS cohort (n = 55, follow-up 12-105 months) and in a non-neurologic pediatric control cohort (n = 301) using a high-sensitivity single-molecule array assay. Association of sNfL levels and treatment and clinical and MRI parameters were calculated. RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: sNfL is a useful biomarker for monitoring disease activity and treatment response in pediatric MS. It is most likely helpful to predict disease severity and to guide treatment decisions in patients with pediatric MS. This study provides Class III evidence that sNfL levels are associated with disease activity in pediatric MS.