Work

Beta-trace protein in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and Guillain-Barré syndrome – clinical utilization and a new insight into pathophysiological mechanisms

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Beta-trace protein (BTP) is primarily used as a marker for traumatic CSF leakage. Spinal leptomeningeal cells adjacent to the spinal nerve roots are a major producer of this protein, which has prompted interest in its relevance to inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathies. BTP has not previously been investigated in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (CIDP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: BTP was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in patients with GBS, CIDP, disease-free controls, non-inflammatory polyneuropathies, and multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: Pre-treatment levels of BTP in plasma were increased in patients with CIDP, but not GBS compared to all controls. Pre-treatment levels of BTP in CSF were increased in patients with CIDP compared to all controls but in patients with GBS compared only to disease-free controls. In patients with GBS and CIDP, levels of BTP in CSF were increased compared to disease-free controls irrespective of Q.alb, and the levels correlated with axonal damage markers in CSF and plasma. Elevated pre-treatment levels of BTP in CSF predicted therapy failure 3 months after initiation of immunotherapy in CIDP. CONCLUSIONS: BTP in CSF and plasma may be a potential biomarker to aid in the diagnosis of CIDP. BTP in CSF could be a potentially more informative biomarker than albumin in a subgroup of patients with GBS and CIDP who have a normal or mildly elevated Q.alb. BTP in CSF may be predictive for therapy response in patient with CIDP, but needs to be validated in larger studies.

Source: Journal of the Neurological Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2025.123439

Authors: Ivan Kmezic, Rasmus Gustafsson, Magnus Hansson, Rayomand Press

Institutions: Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet

Language: English

Topic: Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,640