Radiologically isolated syndrome: targeting miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers

Aim: Some clinical and biological characteristics have been described as prognostic factors for clinical conversion into clinically definite multiple sclerosis in radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) population. The aim of this study was to assess signatures of circulating miRNAs in those patients according to their conversion status after 5 years of follow-up. Patients & methods: OpenArray plates assessing 216 miRNA candidates were run in 15 RIS patients, and their relative abundances were analyzed. Results: A specific profile of deregulated circulating miRNAs (miR-144-3p, miR-448 and miR-653-3p in cerebrospinal fluid and miR-142-3p, miR-338-3p, miR-363-3p, miR-374b-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-483-3p in plasma) differentiated individuals who remained as RIS after 5 years of follow-up. Conclusion: Circulating miRNAs might be used as prognostic biomarkers for RIS patients.

Predictors and Conversion Rate of Clinically Isolated Syndrome to Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis: A Follow-up Study in Patients Living in the Southern Part of Iran

Background: Clinical course of Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) is variable, and identifying patients who will eventually develop Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is essential. Objectives: To assess the conversion rate of CIS to Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (CDMS) and its predictors in southern Iran. Materials & Methods: A total of 143 CIS patients registered to Fars Multiple Sclerosis Society (FMSS) were enrolled in the study from 2006 until 2012, and all of them were followed for 5 years. Also, their demographic and MRI data were recorded. The obtained data were analyzed by univariate and multivariable Cox regression models in SPSS v. 17. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: About 26.6% of patients progressed to MS after a mean duration of 3.4±1.1 years. The conversion rate was 27.6% in patients presented with optic neuritis, and 25.6% in patients presented with spinal cord problems. Although it was not statistically significant (P=0.23), the mean age of the patients who converted to MS was lower at the onset of the presentation (27.6 vs. 29.4 years). In patients who had 3 or more MRI lesions, the conversion rate was 49.2%; however, it was only 9.8% in subjects who had fewer than 3 lesions (OR=8.95, 95% CI=3.69–21.7, P <0.001). Women had higher conversion rate though it was not statistically significant (OR=2.09, 95% CI=0.57–7.64, P=0.26). Conclusion: Our results supported this supposition that the number of MRI lesions at baseline can be used as a predictor of CIS conversion to MS.

090 The effect of cladribine tablets on delaying the time to conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) or McDonald MS is consistent across subgroups in the ORACLE-MS study

IntroductionIn the Phase 3 ORACLE-MS trial in 616 subjects with a first demyelinating event at high risk of converting to multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment with cladribine tablets 10 mg (3.5 mg/kg or 5.25 mg/kg cumulative dose over 2 years [CT3.5 and CT5.25, respectively]) significantly delayed time to conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) according to Poser criteria (67% or 62% risk reduction [RR], respectively) and time to conversion to 2005 McDonald MS (50% or 57% RR, respectively), versus placebo. The objective was to analyze the effect of cladribine tablets vs placebo on converstion to CDMS and McDonald MS across ORACLE-MS patient subgroups based on baseline characteristics.MethodsIn this post-hoc analysis, time-to-conversion to CDMS or McDonald MS over the double-blind period was analyzed for patients treated with CT5.25 (N=204), CT3.5 (N=206) or placebo (N=206) across different subgroups. Subgroups were defined by baseline characteristics which have been investigated as potential predictors of CDMS conversion (age [<30 or ≥30 years], gender, first classification demyelinating event [monofocal or multifocal], presence of T1 Gd+ lesions and number of T2 lesions [<9 or ≥9]).ResultsTreatment with CT3.5 or CT5.25 was consistently efficacious across the subgroups examined on conversion to CDMS versus placebo for most comparisons (RR range: CT3.5, 39%–72%; CT5.25, 36%–79%). Similarly, treatment effect of both doses on conversion to 2005 McDonald MS was consistent across subgroups (CT3.5,40%–59%;CT5.25,42%–79%).ConclusionsThe effect of cladribine tablets on delaying the time-to-conversion to CDMS, or to McDonald MS, is consistent across subgroups.

Application of the 2017 McDonald diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis in Korean patients with clinically isolated syndrome

Objectives: To evaluate the validity of the revised 2017 McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with the 2010 McDonald criteria to predict conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Methods: A total of 163 patients from seven referral hospitals in Korea, who experienced a first clinical event suggestive of MS between 2006 and 2017, were enrolled. Patients were stratified into two groups according to outcome at the last visit: CDMS converters who experienced a second clinical event and non-converters. Results: Of the 163 patients with a mean follow-up of 63 months, 60% converted to CDMS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were, respectively, 88.8%, 43.1%, 70.2%, 71.8% and 70.6% for the 2017 McDonald criteria and 53.1%, 69.2%, 72.2%, 49.5% and 59.5% for the 2010 McDonald criteria. After exclusion of 82 patients who received disease-modifying agents before the second attack, the specificity of the 2017 and 2010 McDonald criteria increased to 85.0% and 95.0%, but sensitivity decreased to 83.6% and 47.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The 2017 McDonald criteria afforded higher sensitivity and accuracy but lower specificity compared with the 2010 McDonald criteria for prediction of conversion to CDMS in Korean CIS patients.

T-cell activation marker sCD27 is associated with clinically definite multiple sclerosis in childhood-acquired demyelinating syndromes

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of T-cell activation marker soluble CD27 (sCD27) are associated with subsequent disease activity after a first attack of suspected MS in adults. The predictive value for disease course in children with acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) is unknown. Objectives: To assess the predictive value of sCD27 levels for clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) diagnosis in childhood ADS. Methods: Children <18 years with a first demyelinating event were prospectively included and followed. Soluble CD27 was determined in CSF using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for CDMS. Results: A total of 94 ADS children were included (ADS with encephalopathy (ADS+) n = 33 and ADS without encephalopathy (ADS–) n = 61). Of the 61 ADS– children, 21 (48%) were diagnosed with CDMS during follow-up. At baseline, sCD27 levels were higher in patients with a future CDMS diagnosis ( n = 29) than in monophasic ADS+ ( n = 30), monophasic ADS– ( n = 28) and relapsing non-MS patients ( n = 7; p < 0.001). In ADS– patients, sCD27 was associated with CDMS (HR = 1.8 per 100 U/mL increase in sCD27 levels, p = 0.031), after adjustments for age, oligoclonal bands and the presence of dissemination in space on baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conclusion: CSF sCD27 levels at first attack of demyelination were associated with CDMS diagnosis in children. This makes sCD27 a potential clinically relevant quantitative marker when performing routine CSF diagnostics.

High neurofilament levels are associated with clinically definite multiple sclerosis in children and adults with clinically isolated syndrome

Background: A promising biomarker for axonal damage early in the disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is neurofilament light chain (NfL). It is unknown whether NfL has the same predictive value for MS diagnosis in children as in adults. Objective: To explore the predictive value of NfL levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for MS diagnosis in paediatric and adult clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients. Methods: A total of 88 adult and 65 paediatric patients with a first attack of demyelination were included and followed (mean follow up-time in adults: 62.8 months (standard deviation (SD) ±38.7 months) and 43.8 months (SD ±27.1 months) in children). Thirty control patients were also included. Lumbar puncture was done within 6 months after onset of symptoms. NfL was determined in CSF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) diagnosis. Results: After adjustments for age, oligoclonal bands (OCB), and asymptomatic T2 lesions on baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), increased NfL levels in both paediatric and adult CIS patients were associated with a shorter time to CDMS diagnosis (children HR = 3.7; p = 0.007, adults HR = 2.1; p = 0.032). For CIS patients with a future CDMS diagnosis, children showed higher NfL levels than adults (geometric mean 4888 vs 2156 pg/mL; p = 0.007). Conclusion: CSF NfL levels are associated with CDMS diagnosis in children and adults with CIS. This makes NfL a promising predictive marker for disease course with potential value in clinical practice.

Evidence of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin associated with multiple sclerosis

Background: It was recently reported that, using Western blotting, some multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the United States had antibodies against epsilon toxin (Etx) from Clostridium perfringens, suggesting that the toxin may play a role in the disease. Objective: We investigated for serum antibodies against Etx in UK patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) or presenting with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or optic neuritis (ON) and in age- and gender-matched controls. Methods: We tested sera from CDMS, CIS or ON patients or controls by Western blotting. We also tested CDMS sera for reactivity with linear overlapping peptides spanning the amino acid sequence (Pepscan) of Etx. Results: Using Western blotting, 24% of sera in the combined CDMS, CIS and ON groups ( n = 125) reacted with Etx. In the control group ( n = 125), 10% of the samples reacted. Using Pepscan, 33% of sera tested reacted with at least one peptide, whereas in the control group only 16% of sera reacted. Out of 61 samples, 21 (43%) were positive to one or other testing methodology. Three samples were positive by Western blotting and Pepscan. Conclusion: Our results broadly support the previous findings and the role of Etx in the aetiology of MS warrants further investigation.