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Multiple Sclerosis

A trusted source of multiple sclerosis lab services for you and your patients.

Multiple sclerosis by the numbers

Statistics from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

1M+ Number of people in the United States living with multiple sclerosis
3x Women are three times more likely than men to have multiple sclerosis
20-50 Age of people most likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that affects approximately 1 million people in the U.S. Since symptoms vary widely among patients and may overlap with other neurological conditions, providers rely on rule-out testing before arriving at a diagnosis, causing challenges in early evaluation.

Labcorp’s comprehensive MS portfolio gives you the insights needed to rule out other conditions, while providing diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring solutions that can improve health and outcomes for MS patients.  

Diagnosing MS through blood-based testing  

There is no single test to diagnose MS, so having a trusted laboratory partner that provides supportive testing is essential. Labcorp offers a comprehensive portfolio of testing options that help to streamline ordering and lessen the patient burden.   
 

Multi-Test Profiles

Number Name
203836 IgG Index and Synthesis Rate
123075 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Profile
123390 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Profile With Myelin Basic Protein, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Individual Test Options

Number Name
002238 Immunoglobulin G Index
085928 Immunoglobulin G Synthesis Rate, Cerebrospinal Fluid
085928 Immunoglobulin G Synthesis Rate, Cerebrospinal Fluid
123377 Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), Cerebrospinal Fluid
019216 Oligoclonal Banding, Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid

MS patient management and monitoring 

Understanding a patient’s MS journey is crucial to personalizing care and identifying the right treatment. New blood biomarkers—neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)—provide valuable insight into disease activity and progression between MRIs, minimizing patient burden and helping you evaluate and monitor MS with greater clarity.  

As the only national reference lab to offer NfL and GFAP testing, Labcorp is proud to offer a suite of blood-based biomarker tests for MS that empower you to make informed treatment decisions tailored to each patient's specific disease stage. 
 

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Number Name
505510 Natalizumab and Anti-Natalizumab Antibody, DoseASSURE™ NTZ
144441 Pre-Biologic Screening Profile

Disease Monitoring

Number Name
140455 Neurofilament Light Chain, Serum
484430 Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP), Serum
809630 Flunitrazepam Confirmation, Whole Blood

Labcorp also offers Stratify JCV™ Ab w/Index (819372) as a send-out test.

Clinical utility of biomarkers in MS  

Though NfL has proven to be an effective marker to gauge therapeutic response in active disease—and has now been included in the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers guidelines for this use, among others1—GFAP has demonstrated stronger prediction of disease progression, irrespective of relapse activity.2,3 Additionally, serial GFAP measurements can be a marker of disease severity.3,4 Together, NfL and GFAP are new ways of helping physicians evaluate and monitor MS patients with simple blood draws that not only complement MRI, but may also reduce the needed frequency of MRI.  
 

Related and rule-out testing

A critical part of MS diagnosis is ruling out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. In addition to MS blood tests that help in early identification, Labcorp also offers the full spectrum of tests needed to rule out these other conditions. 

Autoimmune

Number Name
505295 Anti-Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), Serum
505310 Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG), Serum
505485 CNS Demyelinating Disease Evaluation Profile, Serum
505592 Autoimmune Myelopathy Profile
520342 Lupus Diagnostic Profile
520196 Sjogren's Profile Plus (RDL)
520293 Vasculitis Profile (RDL)

Genetic Risk

Number Name
167389 HLA B*51 Disease Association
620098 Mitochondrial DNA Deletion Analysis

Infectious Agents

Number Name
083935 HIV p24 Antigen/Antibody With Reflex to Confirmation
163246 Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1, 2 (HTLV-1/HTLV-2), Qualitative
164226 Lyme Antibodies, Modified 2-Tier Testing Profile, Serum/Plasma
138685 Lyme Disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, Real-time PCR
082345 Syphilis: Treponemal Antibodies With Reflex to RPR and RPR Titer, Reverse Screening and Diagnosis Algorithm

Other

Number Name
004259 Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
330015 Thyroid Cascade Profile
001503 Vitamin B12

Gaining clarity with cutting-edge diagnostics 

As new therapies emerge for MS treatment and management, having the right lab partner is essential to improving patient outcomes. We are committed to helping you transform MS care, which is why we continue to expand our MS portfolio to equip you with the latest diagnostic tools and emerging biomarkers.  

When you need guidance on vague symptoms and disease progression for MS, our extensive testing options provide clear answers. Contact us to learn more about our MS portfolio or explore our offerings for other neurological and autoimmune disorders.  
 

Labcorp can help meet your needs for MS testing

Contact a Labcorp Representative

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References

  1. Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Neurofilament Consensus Panel. CMSC best practices for the use of serum neurofilament (sNFL) in MS Management.” January 10, 2024. https://www.mscare.org/page/NFL 
  2. Meier S, Willemse EA, Schaedelin S, et al. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein compared with neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for disease progression in multiple sclerosis. JAMA Neurol. 2023;80(3):287-297. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.5250 
  3. Abdelhak A, Hottenrott T, Morenas-Rodríguez E et al. Glial activation markers in CSF and serum from patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis: potential of serum GFAP as disease severity marker? Front Neurol. 2019;10:280. doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.00280 
  4. Abdelhak A, Huss A, Kassubek J, Tumani H, Otto M. Serum GFAP as a biomarker for disease severity in multiple sclerosis. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):14798. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-33158-8