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Development and multi-center validation of a fully automated digital immunoassay for neurofilament light chain: toward a clinical blood test for neuronal injury

Wilson, David; Chan, Dandan; Chang, Lei; Mathis, Robert; Verberk, Inge; Montalban, Xavier; Comabella, Manuel; ... Kuhle, Jens; + view all (2023) Development and multi-center validation of a fully automated digital immunoassay for neurofilament light chain: toward a clinical blood test for neuronal injury. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 10.1515/cclm-2023-0518. (In press).

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a promising biomarker for detecting and monitoring axonal injury. Until recently, NfL could only be reliably measured in cerebrospinal fluid, but digital single molecule array (Simoa) technology has enabled its precise measurement in blood samples where it is typically 50-100 times less abundant. We report development and multi-center validation of a novel fully automated digital immunoassay for NfL in serum for informing axonal injury status. METHODS: A 45-min immunoassay for serum NfL was developed for use on an automated digital analyzer based on Simoa technology. The analytical performance (sensitivity, precision, reproducibility, linearity, sample type) was characterized and then cross validated across 17 laboratories in 10 countries. Analytical performance for clinical NfL measurement was examined in individual patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) after 3 months of disease modifying treatment (DMT) with fingolimod. RESULTS: The assay exhibited a lower limit of detection (LLoD) of 0.05 ng/L, a lower limit of quantification (LLoQ) of 0.8 ng/L, and between-laboratory imprecision <10 % across 17 validation sites. All tested samples had measurable NfL concentrations well above the LLoQ. In matched pre-post treatment samples, decreases in NfL were observed in 26/29 RRMS patients three months after DMT start, with significant decreases detected in a majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity characteristics and reproducible performance across laboratories combined with full automation make this assay suitable for clinical use for NfL assessment, monitoring in individual patients, and cross-comparisons of results across multiple sites.

Type: Article
Title: Development and multi-center validation of a fully automated digital immunoassay for neurofilament light chain: toward a clinical blood test for neuronal injury
Location: Germany
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0518
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2023-0518
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: digital immunoassay, multiple sclerosis, neuronal injury, validation
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Neurodegenerative Diseases
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10179260
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