Blood-brain barrier permeability changes in the first year after alemtuzumab treatment predict 2-year outcomes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Maria Højberg Knudsen*, Ulrich Lindberg, Jette Lautrup Frederiksen, Mark Bitsch Vestergaard, Helle Juhl Simonsen, Aravinthan Varatharaj, Ian Galea, Morten Blinkenberg, Finn Sellebjerg, Henrik Bo Wiberg Larsson, Stig Præstekjær Cramer

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), early disease control reduces the risk of permanent disability. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is compromised in MS, and its permeability is a potential biomarker.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate BBB permeability measured by MRI as a marker of alemtuzumab efficacy.

METHODS: Patients with RRMS initiating alemtuzumab treatment were recruited prospectively. BBB permeability was assessed as the Patlak-derived influx constant (Ki) by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI before and 6, 12, and 18 months after the first course of alemtuzumab. No Evidence of Disease Activity-3 (NEDA-3) status was ascertained two years after treatment initiation.

RESULTS: Patients who maintained NEDA-3 status at two years (n = 7) had a larger decrease in Ki between baseline and six months (-0.029 ml/100 g/min [CI -0.005 - -0.053]) and between baseline and 12 months in normal appearing white matter (0.043 [CI 0.022 - -0.065]), than those who experienced disease activity (n = 8). ROC curve analysis of the Ki change between baseline and 12 months in NAWM predicted a loss of NEDA status at 2 years with 86% sensitivity and 86% specificity (AUC 0.98, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION: BBB permeability predicted alemtuzumab efficacy at two years, indicating that BBB permeability is a biomarker of treatment response in RRMS.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103891
JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Volume63
ISSN2211-0348
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Keywords

  • Alemtuzumab/therapeutic use
  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/chemically induced
  • Multiple Sclerosis/chemically induced
  • Permeability

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