URINARY FREE KAPPA-LIGHT-CHAIN LEVELS IN CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Previous studies have shown elevated levels of free kappa light chains (FKLC) in the urine of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple scl erosis (MS). The levels correlated well with clinical relapses, indica ting that they could serve as useful markers of disease activity. In t his study, we performed monthly measurements of urinary FKLC in patien ts with the chronic progressive form of MS, and correlated them with c linical indicators of disease activity, as expressed by Kurtzke's expa nded disability status scale (EDSS) and brain magnetic resonance imagi ng (MRI). We noted wide fluctuations in the FKLC levels, which correla ted poorly with EDSS scores or MRI changes. Longer follow-up periods m ay be needed before definite conclusions can be drawn.