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Kim DM, Lawrence Panchali MJ, Kim CM, Lee DY, Seo JW, Kim DY, Yun NR. SARS-CoV-2 antigenemia and RNAemia in association with disease severity in patients with COVID-19. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14926. [PMID: 38942808 PMCID: PMC11213952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, causes a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild upper to severe lower respiratory tract infections. However, the dynamics of nucleocapsid (N) protein antigenemia and RNAemia are not fully understood. We conducted a cohort study involving 117 patients with clinically confirmed COVID-19, focusing on the kinetics of antigenemia and RNAemia and their association with various clinical characteristics. The patients had a median age of 66.0 years (52.0-79.0 years), with a gender distribution of 46.2% male and 53.8% female. Antigenemia reached 100% in fatal cases during the first week after admission. The sensitivity/specificity of antigenemia for diagnosis were 64.7%/73.0% at admission, 69.1%/100% in Week 1, and 66.3%/100% in Week 2. Additionally, the rates of antigenemia in asymptomatic patients were 27.3% upon admission and 22.0% in Week 1, respectively; however, no antigenemia was in samples collected in Week 2. Viral RNAemia was not detected in asymptomatic patients, but RNAemia viral loads were elevated in fatal cases. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated a higher mortality rate when antigenemia concentrations were elevated in the follow-up samples (P = 0.005). Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the kinetics of viral N-protein antigenemia and RNAemia according to disease severity and clinical classification. Our findings suggest that highest concentrations of antigenemia in fatal cases occur in the first week after admission, indicating that early elevated antigenemia may serve as a marker of mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-717, Republic of Korea.
| | - Merlin Jayalal Lawrence Panchali
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-717, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Mee Kim
- Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Yeon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-717, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Won Seo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-717, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-717, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Ra Yun
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-717, Republic of Korea
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Ghezzi A, Neuteboom RF. Neurofilament Light Chain in Adult and Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Promising Biomarker to Better Characterize Disease Activity and Personalize MS Treatment. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1867-1881. [PMID: 37682513 PMCID: PMC10630260 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Many biological markers have been explored in multiple sclerosis (MS) to better quantify disease burden and better evaluate response to treatments, beyond clinical and MRI data. Among these, neurofilament light chain (Nf-L), although non-specific for this disease and found to be increased in other neurological conditions, has been shown to be the most promising biomarker for assessing axonal damage in MS, with a definite role in predicting the development of MS in patients at the first neurological episode suggestive of MS, and also in a preclinical phase. There is strong evidence that Nf-L levels are increased more in relapsing versus stable MS patients, and that they predict future disease evolution (relapses, progression, MRI measures of activity/progression) in MS patients, providing information on response to therapy, helping to anticipate clinical decisions in patients with an apparently stable evolution, and identifying patient non-responders to disease-modifying treatments. Moreover, Nf-L can contribute to the better understanding of the mechanisms of demyelination and axonal damage in adult and pediatric MS. A fundamental requirement for its clinical use is the accurate standardization of normal values, corrected for confounding factors, in particular age, sex, body mass index, and presence of comorbidities. In this review, a guide is provided to update clinicians on the use of Nf-L in clinical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Ghezzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università Piemonte Orientale A. Avogadro, Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy.
| | - R F Neuteboom
- Department of Neurology, ErasMS Center, Erasmus MC, PO Box 2040, 3000, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Gold R, Barnett M, Chan A, Feng H, Fujihara K, Giovannoni G, Montalbán X, Shi FD, Tintoré M, Xue Q, Yang C, Zhou H. Clinical use of dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis treatment: an update to include China, using a modified Delphi method. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2023; 16:17562864231180734. [PMID: 37465201 PMCID: PMC10350766 DOI: 10.1177/17562864231180734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a widely used oral disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). Its efficacy and safety profiles are supported by over a decade of experience. Differences exist between Asia and Europe/United States in the prevalence and characteristics of MS; most data for DMF are derived from populations outside Asia. DMF was recently (2021) approved for use in China. The objectives of this review were to evaluate the evidence for DMF's profile, to provide an update to healthcare providers on current knowledge surrounding its use and to assess the relevance of existing data to use in China. This study used a modified Delphi method based on the insights of a scientific Steering Committee (SC), with a structured literature review conducted to assess the data of DMF. The literature review covered all papers in English (from 01 January 2011 to 21 February 2022) that include 'dimethyl fumarate' and 'multiple sclerosis', and their MeSH terms, on PubMed, supplemented by EMBASE and Citeline searches. Papers were categorized by topic and assessed for relevance and quality, before being used to formulate statements summarizing the literature on each subject. SC members voted on/revised statements, requiring ⩾80% agreement and ⩽10% disagreement for inclusion. Statements not reaching this level were discussed further until agreement was reached or until there was agreement to remove the statement. A total of 1030 papers were retrieved and used to formulate the statements and evidence summaries considered by the SC members. A total of 45 statements were agreed by the SC members. The findings support the positive efficacy and safety profile of DMF in treating patients with MS. Limited Chinese patient data are an ongoing consideration; however, based on current evidence, the statements are considered applicable to both the global and Chinese populations. DMF is a valuable addition to address unmet MS treatment needs in China. Registration: Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum 44791, Germany
| | - Michael Barnett
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Chan
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital (Bern University Hospital), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Huiyu Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kazuo Fujihara
- Department of Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Department of Neurology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xavier Montalbán
- Neurology Department, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia (Cemcat), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fu-Dong Shi
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroimmunology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Mar Tintoré
- Neurology Department, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia (Cemcat), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Qun Xue
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunsheng Yang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Vidovic M, Müschen LH, Brakemeier S, Machetanz G, Naumann M, Castro-Gomez S. Current State and Future Directions in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050736. [PMID: 36899872 PMCID: PMC10000757 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive weakness of all voluntary muscles and eventual respiratory failure. Non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive and behavioral changes, frequently occur over the course of the disease. Considering its poor prognosis with a median survival time of 2 to 4 years and limited causal treatment options, an early diagnosis of ALS plays an essential role. In the past, diagnosis has primarily been determined by clinical findings supported by electrophysiological and laboratory measurements. To increase diagnostic accuracy, reduce diagnostic delay, optimize stratification in clinical trials and provide quantitative monitoring of disease progression and treatment responsivity, research on disease-specific and feasible fluid biomarkers, such as neurofilaments, has been intensely pursued. Advances in imaging techniques have additionally yielded diagnostic benefits. Growing perception and greater availability of genetic testing facilitate early identification of pathogenic ALS-related gene mutations, predictive testing and access to novel therapeutic agents in clinical trials addressing disease-modified therapies before the advent of the first clinical symptoms. Lately, personalized survival prediction models have been proposed to offer a more detailed disclosure of the prognosis for the patient. In this review, the established procedures and future directions in the diagnostics of ALS are summarized to serve as a practical guideline and to improve the diagnostic pathway of this burdensome disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Vidovic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (S.C.-G.)
| | | | - Svenja Brakemeier
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Gerrit Machetanz
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Marcel Naumann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Sergio Castro-Gomez
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease and Geriatric Psychiatry/Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (S.C.-G.)
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Serum Neurofilament Light Chain as Biomarker for Cladribine-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients in a Real-World Setting. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044067. [PMID: 36835478 PMCID: PMC9961994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is an intensely investigated biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to explore the impact of cladribine (CLAD) on sNfL and the potential of sNfL as a predictor of long-term treatment response. Data were gathered from a prospective, real-world CLAD cohort. We measured sNfL at baseline (BL-sNfL) and 12 months (12Mo-sNfL) after CLAD start by SIMOA. Clinical and radiological assessments determined fulfilment of "no evidence of disease activity" (NEDA-3). We evaluated BL-sNfL, 12M-sNfL and BL/12M sNfL ratio (sNfL-ratio) as predictors for treatment response. We followed 14 patients for a median of 41.5 months (range 24.0-50.0). NEDA-3 was fulfilled by 71%, 57% and 36% for a period of 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. We observed clinical relapses in four (29%), MRI activity in six (43%) and EDSS progression in five (36%) patients. CLAD significantly reduced sNfL (BL-sNfL: mean 24.7 pg/mL (SD ± 23.8); 12Mo-sNfL: mean 8.8 pg/mL (SD ± 6.2); p = 0.0008). We found no correlation between BL-sNfL, 12Mo-sNfL and ratio-sNfL and the time until loss of NEDA-3, the occurrence of relapses, MRI activity, EDSS progression, treatment switch or sustained NEDA-3. We corroborate that CLAD decreases neuroaxonal damage in MS patients as determined by sNfL. However, sNfL at baseline and at 12 months failed to predict clinical and radiological treatment response in our real-world cohort. Long-term sNfL assessments in larger studies are essential to explore the predictive utility of sNfL in patients treated with immune reconstitution therapies.
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Shefner JM, Bedlack R, Andrews JA, Berry JD, Bowser R, Brown R, Glass JD, Maragakis NJ, Miller TM, Rothstein JD, Cudkowicz ME. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinical Trials and Interpretation of Functional End Points and Fluid Biomarkers: A Review. JAMA Neurol 2022; 79:1312-1318. [PMID: 36251310 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.3282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Importance Clinical trial activity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is dramatically increasing; as a result, trial modifications have been introduced to improve efficiency, outcome measures have been reassessed, and considerable discussion about the level of data necessary to advance a drug to approval has occurred. This review discusses what recent pivotal studies can teach the community about these topics. Observations By restricting inclusion and exclusion criteria, recent trials have enrolled populations distinct from previous studies. This has led to efficacy signals being observed in studies that are smaller and shorter than was thought feasible previously. However, such trials raise questions about generalizability of results. Small trials with equivocal clinical results also raise questions about the data necessary to lead to regulatory approval. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised remains the most commonly used primary outcome measure; this review discusses innovations in its use. Blood neurofilament levels can predict prognosis in ALS and may be a sensitive indicator of biologic effect; current knowledge does not yet support its use as a primary outcome. Conclusions and Relevance It is now possible to use specific inclusion criteria to recruit a homogeneous patient population progressing at a specific rate; this will likely impact trials in the future. Generalizability of results on limited populations remains a concern. Although clinical outcomes remain the most appropriate primary outcome measures, fluid markers reflecting biologically important processes will assume more importance as more is learned about the association between such markers and clinical end points. The benefit of use of analytic strategies, such as responder analyses, is still uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jinsy A Andrews
- The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - James D Berry
- Healey & AMG Center ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
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Mak G, Menon S, Lu JQ. Neurofilaments in neurologic disorders and beyond. J Neurol Sci 2022; 441:120380. [PMID: 36027641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many neurologic diseases can initially present as a diagnostic challenge and even when a diagnosis is made, monitoring of disease activity, progression and response to therapy may be limited with existing clinical and paraclinical assessments. As such, the identification of disease specific biomarkers provides a promising avenue by which diseases can be effectively diagnosed, monitored and used as a prognostic indicator for long-term outcomes. Neurofilaments are an integral component of the neuronal cytoskeleton, where assessment of neurofilaments in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and diseased tissue has been shown to have value in providing diagnostic clarity, monitoring disease activity, tracking progression and treatment efficacy, as well as lending prognostic insight into long-term outcomes. As such, this review attempts to provide a glimpse into the structure and function of neurofilaments, their role in various neurologic and non-neurologic disorders, including uncommon conditions with recent knowledge of neurofilament-related pathology, as well as their applicability in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Mak
- McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suresh Menon
- McMaster University, Department of Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jian-Qiang Lu
- McMaster University, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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