A comparison of serum inflammatory parameters in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Primary progressive MS (PPMS) is diagnosed in approximately 10-15 % of MS patients. Diseasemodifying therapies (DMT) are less effective in modifying the course of progressive types of MS. It seems that inflammatory processes differ in the MS subtypes. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess differences in the inflammatory parameters between PPMS and other courses of MS. Materials and methods: A total of 84 subjects were included in the study. The study group was divided according to the course of MS into the following categories: PPMS (n = 24); SPMS-secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (n = 14); RRMS-relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (n = 46). PPMS patients were further divided into treated with ocrelizumab and treatment-naive groups. The concentrations of serum inflammatory parameters were evaluated. Results: PPMS and SPMS significantly differed in the serum levels of sCD30, gp130, sIL-6R alpha, osteopontin, pentraxin-3 and sTNF-R1. The serum concentrations of IFN-alpha2, IL-10, IL-20, IL-29 and osteopontin significantly differed between PPMS and RRMS. The serum levels of BAFF, IL-19, IL-20, pentraxin-3, s-TNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 significantly differed between PPMS treated with ocrelizumab and treatment-naive. Conclusion: Although inflammatory processes take part in the pathogenesis of all types of MS, they differ between MS courses. Serum inflammatory parameters seem to be promising biomarkers in helping to differentiate courses of MS, and in assessing reactions to DMT treatment. Further investigations on their usage are required.

Automated summary

This study assessed the differences in inflammatory parameters between primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and other types of multiple sclerosis (MS). The results showed that inflammatory processes differed between different types of MS, and serum inflammatory parameters could be promising biomarkers for differentiating disease courses and assessing treatment response.