What biomarkers best predict the response to B-cell depleting therapies in MS?

We find that ordering a Lymphocyte Subset (specific lab order) is probably the easiest and quickest way to assess the response/efficacy of CD20 therapy and MS patients. Particularly looking at the CD19/precursor to CD20 lymphocytes. It allows us, if the patient relapses on CD20 therapy, to see if we...

I would say that checking CD19 counts is helpful to monitor response to B-cell therapy, but it is not useful in predicting response. I used to check this before and after starting B-cell therapies, but ultimately did not find it useful. I now only check it if someone has breakthrough disease activit...

While no single biomarker is yet validated for routine use in predicting response to B-cell therapy in MS, CSF CXCL13, IgM OCBs, and neurofilament light chain are among the most promising. Multimodal approaches that combine imaging, clinical features, and fluid biomarkers are likely to offer the bes...