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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