New Database Aims to Accelerate Research into Progressive MS
Close
Close
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS), and understanding how it affects your body is key to managing it effectively. Your MS provider uses various tools to diagnose and manage your MS, and some important tools that have been used more recently are biomarkers. These are substances in your body that can be measured through tests such as blood tests, spinal fluid tests, and imaging (such as MRI). Tracking and understanding these biomarkers can help providers identify MS earlier, monitor progression, and determine response to treatment.
For many years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and spinal fluid analysis have been important for early and accurate MS diagnosis. MRI is also frequently used to help track changes in your MS and see how you’re responding to disease-modifying therapies (DMT). In recent years, there’s been a lot of progress in the field of serum biomarkers – substances identified in your blood. These serum biomarkers can be measured through a simple blood test and are helpful for monitoring your MS.
It’s important to know that no single biomarker can diagnose or monitor MS by itself. Instead, your MS provider will combine biomarker results with other tests—like MRI, neurological exams, and your medical history—to get the best overall understanding of your condition. Serum biomarkers provide additional information that helps you and your MS provider understand your MS.
Below are some biomarkers that your provider may discuss with you:
The Octave MSDA Test is an innovative and promising blood test developed by Octave Bioscience. It includes 18 protein biomarkers associated with MS disease activity. These 18 proteins help to provide a more comprehensive and quantitative measurement of disease activity. The test utilizes advanced AI to convert these protein levels into a single Disease Activity Score, along with scores for specific biological pathways such as immune system activation, nerve damage, and central nervous system (CNS) inflammation.
Through the Clinical Validation Study, the MSDA Test, multianalyte panel, better identified MS Disease Activity over the single analyte test, NfL. In summary, MSDA outperformed serum NfL by itself.
What does this mean for you? It means your doctor can get a clearer, more complete picture of how active your MS is—without relying solely on MRI or waiting for your symptoms to change. This test can help guide more personalized treatment decisions and may allow for earlier adjustments if your MS is becoming more active.
The Octave MSDA test is available across all 50 U.S. states and is certified under CLIA (the national quality standard for laboratory testing), accredited by CAP, and holds a Clinical Laboratory Permit in New York State. It’s already being used by MS specialists to help manage care with more precision for persons living with MS.
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a protein crucial for nerve support in the brain and spinal cord. When these nerves are damaged, NfL is released into both spinal fluid and the bloodstream. Measuring elevated levels of NfL in the blood can therefore signal neuronal damage. However, this elevation is not specific to multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be seen in various conditions causing neuronal damage. In MS, sNfL levels tend to spike after the appearance of a new lesion and then decrease over approximately 90 days, offering some insights into disease activity.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a protein found in astrocytes, which are cells in the brain and spinal cord that help with healing and responding to injury. When astrocytes are damaged, GFAP is released and can be measured in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, or in the blood. In multiple sclerosis (MS), higher levels of GFAP in the blood have been linked to more severe disability and worsening of the disease over time, suggesting ongoing damage. While not commonly used in everyday medical practice, blood GFAP levels might help predict how MS will progress.
Analyzing the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal fluid, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). can check for things like cell counts, signs of infection, or inflammation. One common sign of multiple sclerosis (MS) found in CSF is the presence of “oligoclonal bands” (OCBs). These are proteins that indicate inflammation within the brain or spinal cord.
More recently, a new biomarker called “kappa free light chains” (KFLCs) has been investigated. These are proteins produced by certain immune cells. When elevated in the CSF, KFLCs may be a more accurate and less expensive way to help diagnose MS compared to OCBs. They are primarily used as a diagnostic tool for MS, identified through CSF analysis.
The use of current biomarkers, and the future addition of new biomarkers may aide in making a timely and accurate MS diagnosis and may also help you and your MS provider better understand your disease activity. Biomarkers may help you and your provider develop a more personalized treatment plan, based upon your disease activity. Currently, tests such as serum NfL or the Octave test may be used in conjunction with MRI and clinical findings on neurological exam to better understand your MS disease process. Other biomarkers under study may soon be added to the tests done as part of the MS diagnostic process and monitoring your disease activity over time. Ask your MS provider about biomarkers to learn more.
The information presented in this article is provided for educational purposes only and may not constitute medical advice. The content has been developed by Octave Bioscience, Inc., and does not reflect the views, policies, or positions of Can Do MS. Can Do MS does not endorse any specific treatment, medication, or healthcare provider. Individuals should consult their healthcare professional to determine the best treatment options for their specific medical needs.
Keep Learning...
But wait, there's more...
View All Related to Daily Life with MS: Research
