# Case Report: Neurofilament light chain in the follow up of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab

**Authors:** Raquel Piñar-Morales, Raquel Calle-Calle, Maria Carrasco-Garcia, Cristina Davila-Arias, Luisa Maria Villar-Guimerans, Francisco J. Barrero Hernandez

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1571699 · 2025-04-09

## TL;DR

This case report explores the potential of neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for early detection of PML in MS patients treated with ocrelizumab.

## Contribution

The study suggests that serum neurofilament light chain levels may aid in the early diagnosis of PML in MS patients.

## Key findings

- Serum neurofilament light chain levels were elevated at the time of PML diagnosis.
- sNFL levels progressively increased during the patient's follow-up.
- Monitoring sNFL may help detect PML early in MS patients.

## Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) results from the reactivation of John Cunningham virus JC virus and is a rare complication of anti-CD20 drug therapy. Neurofilament light chains increasingly serve as a marker of neuroaxonal damage in the follow-up of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but its role in the monitoring and detection of processes such as PML is yet to be defined. We report the case of a patient with MS who was treated with ocrelizumab and developed PML. Results: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNFL) levels were elevated at the diagnosis and progressively increased over his follow-up. Our results suggest that the monitoring of sNFL levels may be useful for the early diagnosis of PML in patients with MS.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (MONDO:0016318), multiple sclerosis (MONDO:0005301)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** KRT20 (keratin 20) [NCBI Gene 54474] {aka CD20, CK-20, CK20, K20, KRT21}
- **Diseases:** PML (MESH:D007968), MS (MESH:D009103)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12042224/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12042224