ACTRIMS 2023 | The development of clinically useful biomarkers in MS

Shane Arsenault, MD, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada, describes the ideal characteristics a biomarker should have and the challenges associated with the development of clinically useful and feasible biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). An ideal biomarker should be non-invasive, safe, sensitive, specific, reproducible, cost-effective, easily detectable in patients, and useful in clinical practice. For example, NfL is sensitive but not specific as levels increase in other neurodegenerative diseases and with age. Therefore, standardized measures for different age groups are needed. Other challenges include understanding which values should be considered clinically meaningful and how to use NfL levels to guide treatment decisions. This interview took place at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2023 in San Diego, CA.

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