Biomarkers of multiple sclerosis

Several biomarkers for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, disease evolution and response to medication (current or expected) are under research. While most of them are still under research, there are some of them already well stablished:

  • oligoclonal bands: They present proteins that are in the CNS or in blood. Those that are in CNS but not in blood suggest a diagnosis of MS.
  • MRZ-Reaction: A polyspecific antiviral immune response against the viruses of measles, rubella and zoster found in 1992.[1] In some reports the MRZR showed a lower sensitivity than OCB (70% vs. 100%), but a higher specificity (69% vs. 92%) for MS.[1]
  • free light chains (FLC). Several authors have reported that they are comparable or even better than oligoclonal bands.[2]

They can be of several types like body fluid biomarkers, imaging biomarkers or genetic biomarkers. They are expected to play an important role in the near future of MS.[3]

  1. ^ a b Hottenrott, Tilman; Dersch, Rick; Berger, Benjamin; Rauer, Sebastian; Eckenweiler, Matthias; Huzly, Daniela; Stich, Oliver (2015). "The intrathecal, polyspecific antiviral immune response in neurosarcoidosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and autoimmune encephalitis compared to multiple sclerosis in a tertiary hospital cohort". Fluids and Barriers of the CNS. 12: 27. doi:10.1186/s12987-015-0024-8. PMC 4677451. PMID 26652013.
  2. ^ Fabio Duranti; Massimo Pieri; Rossella Zenobi; Diego Centonze; Fabio Buttari; Sergio Bernardini; Mariarita Dessi. "kFLC Index: a novel approach in early diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis". International Journal of Scientific Research. 4 (8).
  3. ^ Serafeim, Katsavos; Anagnostouli Maria (2013). "Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis: An Up-to-Date Overview". Multiple Sclerosis International. 2013: 340508. doi:10.1155/2013/340508. PMC 3564381. PMID 23401777.