ALS-Podcast #58: Aktuelles zum Prognosefaktor NfL – Gespräch mit Peggy Schumann

Since June 2020, neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been under investigation in the "NfL-ALS" biomarker study at 20 ALS centers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with significant funding from the Boris Canessa ALS Foundation. More than 5,200 people with ALS have participated in this study to date, making it the most comprehensive research activity on NfL in ALS worldwide. The study has significantly contributed to establishing NfL as an important prognostic factor for the course of ALS. At the same time, the data on this biomarker has continuously developed over the past few years. The current state of research, its prognostic significance, and frequently asked questions about NfL will be discussed with Peggy Schumann, biotechnologist and clinical researcher at the ALS Center of Charité. More than 5,200 people with ALS have participated in this study to date, making it the most comprehensive research activity on NfL in ALS worldwide. 01:30 Biomarker study “Neurofilament in ALS” (NfL-ALS) 03:30 Participation opportunities for people with ALS 07:00 NfL-ALS study in an international context (especially ALL-ALS in the USA) 09:30 Technical implementation of the NfL analysis 13:00 Data reconciliation between the NfL analyzer and ALS centers 15:00 Donation of the NfL analyzer (SIMOA, Single Molecule Array) and NfL test system by the Boris Canessa ALS Foundation 20:00 Age dependence of the NfL reference value (“normal value”) 22:00 NfL values ​​on the “ALS App” 25:00 Limited significance of NfL for ALS diagnosis 26:00 Prognostic relevance of high, very high, and low NfL values 28:00 NfL Fluctuations (Increases or decreases in NfL levels during follow-up examinations) 31:00 Research on NfL Fluctuations 41:00 Relationship between NfL and ALS Phenotypes 44:00 Medical Interpretation of NfL Analysis 47:00 Significance of Motor Symptom Propagation in the ALS-OPM Classification 54:00 Use and Advantages of NfL as a Therapy Marker in Highly Effective Therapy (Tofersen) 57:00 NfL as a Response Criterion in Individual Treatment Trials and Off-Label Treatments 58:00 Information on Participation in the NfL-ALS Study The interview with Peggy Schumann was conducted by Prof. Dr. Thomas Meyer – Neurologist and Head of the ALS Outpatient Clinic at Charité. Links to NfL: NfL-ALS Study: https://als-charite.de/case-studies/n... ALS App: https://www.ambulanzpartner.de/als/al... Registration with Ambulanzpartner for the ALS App: https://register.ambulanzpartner.de/de Scientific publications on NfL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38859... and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36899... About the ALS Podcast The ALS Podcast is supported and made possible by the Boris Canessa ALS Foundation (https://canessa-als-stiftung.org) About the Charité ALS Clinic On the Charité ALS Clinic website, you will find a comprehensive overview of diagnostics, treatment, and Information on the care of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and current news on ALS: https://www.als-charite.de.