Prognostic value of kappa free light chain index in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis

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Background: The kappa free light chain (κ-FLC) index is a well-established biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). While the prognostic value of the κ-FLC index has been demonstrated in early relapsing-remitting MS, its prognostic value in primary progressive MS (PPMS) has not yet been investigated. Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with PPMS with diagnostic lumbar puncture and clinical follow-up of at least 12 months were recruited from nine MS centers across five countries. At baseline, age, sex, disease duration, and the number of T2 hyperintense (T2L) and contrast-enhancing T1 lesions (CEL) on MRI were determined. κ-FLC was measured using nephelometry/turbidimetry, and the κ-FLC index was calculated as (CSF κ-FLC/serum κ-FLC)/albumin quotient. At follow-up, the occurrence of disability progression and the administration of disease-modifying treatment (DMT) were registered. The primary endpoint was time to disability progression. Results: A total of 121 PPMS patients were included with a median age of 53 years (25th-75th percentile: 46-59) and a balanced sex distribution (48.8% female). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed no significant association between the κ-FLC index and disability progression [hazard ratio (HR) 1.0, p = 0.950]. Prior use of DMT (HR 0.60, p = 0.023) and brain T2L > 9 at baseline (HR 2.22, p = 0.026) were significantly associated with disability progression. The remaining covariates, including age, sex, disease duration, and CEL, showed no significant associations. Conclusion: The κ-FLC index does not predict disability progression in PPMS, contrasting its growing role as a prognostic biomarker in relapsing MS. This highlights phenotypic differences in MS pathophysiology and underscores the need for prognostic biomarkers in PPMS.

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