• Researchers develop new antibody test to

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Thu Mar 24 22:30:42 2022
    Researchers develop new antibody test to diagnose MS

    Date:
    March 24, 2022
    Source:
    Mayo Clinic
    Summary:
    Researchers have validated a new antibody test to diagnose multiple
    sclerosis (MS), a potentially disabling disease of the brain and
    spinal cord.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    Mayo Clinic researchers have validated a new antibody test to diagnose
    multiple sclerosis (MS), a potentially disabling disease of the brain
    and spinal cord.

    Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are affected by MS, according to
    the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.


    ==========================================================================
    An antibody typically consists of two immunoglobulin heavy chains
    and two light chains. There are two types of light chains: kappa and
    lambda. The validated test measures kappa immunoglobulin free light
    chains in cerebrospinal fluid.

    The authors conclude the test is a valid alternative to a commonly used
    test to detect oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid, according to
    findings published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Oligoclonal bands are
    proteins that indicate inflammation of the central nervous system.

    "Among the advantages of kappa measurement is that it's a much easier
    test to run in the laboratory," says Ruba Saadeh, a research fellow in neuroimmunology in Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and the study's first author. "Our findings represent a cost
    savings as well as an automated alternative to the arsenal of tests used
    to diagnose multiple sclerosis." MS is a disease that affects the brain
    and spinal cord, and can lead to deterioration and permanent damage of
    the nerves. While its cause is unknown, the disease triggers the immune
    system to attack the protective coating on nerve fibers. This disrupts
    signals between the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary widely. These
    symptoms depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are
    affected. Symptoms can be temporary or long-lasting.

    While no cure for MS has been found, treatments can speed recovery from
    attacks and manage symptoms.

    The diagnostic test that detects oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid requires about four hours of analytical processing. This test is labor- intensive and involves subjective visual interpretation. The Mayo study validates a diagnostic value of 0.1 milligrams per deciliter to measure
    kappa free light chains. The study's results are comparable to diagnostic values from tests measuring oligoclonal bands.

    The study analyzed serum samples from a retrospective cohort of 702 Mayo patients to determine a diagnostic value for measurement of kappa free
    light chains. Samples from a prospective cohort of 657 Mayo patients
    were used to validate that value. Of the more than 1,300 patients, 12%
    were diagnosed with MS.

    "Kappa free light chain measurement in cerebrospinal fluid is relatively
    new, and various published studies have attempted to decide what is
    the best medical decision point for optimal performance of the test,"
    says Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic pathologist and the
    study's senior author. "Based on our study data, we identified the
    optimal performance of the test for a large U.S.- based population."
    The study estimates a significant cost savings for the new test. Better
    yet, results are available in about 20 minutes.

    "The laboratory technologist training can be standardized because of
    the automation involved in this process, and the subjective visual interpretation of bands and personnel involvement is substantially
    reduced," Dr. Willrich says.

    The study was funded in part by Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory
    Medicine and Pathology and was supported by a grant from the National
    Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The authors report no
    competing interests.


    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Mayo_Clinic. Original written by
    Jay Furst. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Ruba S. Saadeh, Sandra C. Bryant, Andrew McKeon, Brian Weinshenker,
    David
    L. Murray, Sean J. Pittock, Maria Alice V. Willrich. CSF
    Kappa Free Light Chains: Cutoff Validation for Diagnosing
    Multiple Sclerosis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2021; DOI:
    10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.09.014 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220324122612.htm

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