Vitamin D supplementation and serum neurofilament light chain in interferon-beta-1b-treated MS patients

Abstract

<div>Objectives: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a promising biomarker of MS activity, progression, and treatment response. The aim of the present study was to address whether sNfL concentrations are affected by supplementation of vitamin D and correlate with disease activity in interferon-beta-1b (IFNb-1b)-treated Finnish MS. Materials and <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Methods: Serum samples were available of 32 participants of the Finnish vitamin D randomized controlled trial (17 vitamin D/15 placebo). Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D was measured using radioimmunoassay and sNfL using single-molecule array (Simoa). Correlation of sNfL with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, burden of disease (BOD, mm(3)), and disability was assessed at the study baseline and at 52 weeks. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Results: Serum NfL concentrations were similar in the patients randomized to high-dose vitamin D and placebo at the study baseline and at month 12 follow-up (p-value). Concentrations of sNfL were higher in patients with Gadolinium-enhancing lesions in brain MRI: median (95% CI) sNfL was 14.84 (9.9-42.5) pg/ml and 11.39 (8.9-13.2) pg/ml in patients without Gd(+)lesions (p = .0144) and correlated with enhancing lesion volume (Pearsonr = .36,p = .037) at the study baseline but not at week 52. Serum NfL did not correlate with the MRI BOD or disability measured by expanded disability status scale and 25-foot walk test. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Conclusion: In this small cohort of clinically stable IFN-treated Finnish MS patients, sNfL levels were similarly low in patients supplemented with high-dose vitamin D or placebo. Subclinical disease activity in MRI was associated with higher sNfL levels.</div>