Assessment of serum inflammatory parameters in RRMS and SPMS patients

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. Patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) differ in their responses to treatment; therefore, the correct diagnosis of the particular type of MS is crucial, and biomarkers that can differentiate between the forms of MS need to be identified. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of inflammatory parameters in serum samples from patients with RRMS and SPMS.

Methods

The study group consisted of 60 patients with diagnosed MS. The patients were divided into RRMS and SPMS groups. In the RRMS patients, the usage of disease-modifying treatment was included in our analysis. The serum levels of inflammatory parameters were evaluated.

Results

The serum levels of BAFF, gp130 and osteopontin were significantly higher in SPMS patients than in RRMS patients. The serum levels of BAFF correlated with age in both RRMS and SPMS patients. The serum levels of MMP-2 were significantly higher in RRMS patients than in SPMS patients and correlated with the number of past relapses. The serum levels of IL-32 were significantly higher in RRMS treatment-naïve patients than in RRMS patients treated with disease-modifying therapy.

Discussion

Significant differences were found in BAFF, gp130, MMP-2 and osteopontin levels between RRMS and SPMS patients. Serum IL-32 levels were statistically lower in RRMS patients treated with disease-modifying therapy than in treatment-naïve patients.

KEYWORDS:

• SPMS
• RRMS
• BAFF
• gp130
• MMP-2
• osteopontin
• IL-32

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data used to support the findings of this study have not been made available because they contain sensitive patient information.

Limitations

The patients included to the study were treated with different disease-modifying therapies with different onset times which may have impact on the results.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01616412.2024.2337503

Additional information

Funding

The work was funded by the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice [PCN-2-077/N/1/K], [PCN-1-161/N/2/K], [PCN-1-203/K/0/K].