Biomarkers of disability worsening in inactive primary progressive multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective

To investigate serum biomarkers of progression in inactive primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).

Methods

We measured protein biomarkers (growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), neuron specific enolase (NSE) and cathepsin-D) in serum samples from 39 patients with inactive PPMS included in a clinical trial enrolling people with PPMS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02913157) and investigated the association of these biomarker levels with clinical disability at baseline and during follow-up. We then performed a meta-analysis of publicly available transcriptomic datasets to investigate the gene expression of these biomarkers in the CNS in progressive MS.

Results

When compared with healthy controls, people with PPMS had higher serum levels of GDF-15, DKK-1 and cathepsin-D at baseline. These findings match those in our meta-analysis which found increased expression of GDF-15 and cathepsin-D in the CNS in progressive MS. At baseline, elevated serum DKK-1 was associated with worse Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and nine-hole peg test (9HPT) scores. None of the other biomarkers levels significantly correlated with EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FWT), 9HPT, or cognitive measures. However, serum GDF-15 and cathepsin-D were higher at baseline in participants who developed worsening disability. Our receiver operating characteristic curve showed that higher serum GDF-15 and cathepsin-D at baseline significantly discriminated between participants who worsened in T25FWT and 9HPT and those who remained stable.

Conclusions

Patients with PPMS have altered levels of GDF-15, DKK-1 and cathepsin-D in serum, and GDF-15 and cathepsin-D may have predictive value in progression free of inflammatory activity in PPMS.