Biomarker assessment could determine treatment efficacy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a press release recently published by Horizon Therapeutics, the drug’s manufacturer.
“Conducting assessments of the sNfL biomarker during an attack can inform clinicians about the attack severity and the likelihood of residual disability in the patient, and therefore may guide therapeutic interventions to help preserve their long-term outcomes,” said Orhan Aktas, MD, of the Heinrich-Heine-University in Germany.
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Results from the N-MOmentum clinical trial suggest that serum biomarkers could yield important insight into the effects of inebilizumab-cdon in patients with NMOSD. These biomarkers are known determinants of acute attacks and worsening disability. Hence, the effect of inebilizumab-cdon on hindering the elevation of such markers on attacks could orient toward clinical response.
These results translate into a promising use of inebilizumab-cdon, especially since the main goals of disease management in NMOSD center on preventing acute attacks. Specifically, the researchers evaluated the potential association of treatment with inebilizumab-cdon and levels of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP), serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 and tau.
Patients receiving inebilizumab-cdon presented with lower biomarker levels during attacks and in their absence over time. For example, only 22% of the participants that received inebilizumab-cdon, had sNfL levels above 16 mg/mL compared to 45% in the control group.
Of these markers, sNfL stood out by showcasing the greatest predictive capacity of worsening disability during and after acute attacks. The Expanded Disability Status Scale measured the degree of disability. Regardless, only the sGFAP demonstrated the predictive ability of future attacks. The sGFAP protein is a recognized marker for NMOSD acute attacks, while the sNfL is a structural protein well known as an indicator of neuronal injury.
“Combination with other select serum biomarkers such as sGFAP may further increase prediction of clinical activity and, thus, prognosis in this devastating disorder,” noted Dr. Aktas.
Reference
Biomarker analysis publication highlights key signals of disability worsening associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) attacks, illustrates efficacy of UPLIZNA® (inebilizumab-cdon). Published online June 1, 2023.
