Gauging MS Disease Activity Through Octave’s MSDA Test: Taylor Gonyou, DO

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"This [MDSA test] can be helpful in many ways. We’re using precision medicine for the first time in MS, and it’s a good way to find a baseline for patients. Where does the patient stand from the first time they’re getting this test? Then you can follow them longitudinally over time."

Considering the complex pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS), it can be difficult for clinicians to help identify the level of underlying disease activity a patient may be experiencing. There have been several different approaches introduced to better solve this issue, including Octave Bio’s multi-protein Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) test. Analytically and clinically validated, this test utilizes an algorithm of 18 biomarkers to produce 4 disease pathway scores covering immunomodulation, neuroinflammation, myelin biology, and neuroaxonal integrity.

At the 2023 Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum, held February 23-25, in San Diego, California, a group of researchers presented findings on 5 real-world cases using the MSDA test. Led by Taylor Gonyou, DO, the analysis aimed to describe how results on the MSDA reconcile with clinical presentation, radiographic evidence, and patient history, as well as how these insights into the underlying biology of MS support clinical decisions. The 5 patients with MS included the study all had various ages, disease durations, disease-modifying therapy use, and radiographic presentations.

Gonyou, a multiple sclerosis fellow at Michigan Institute for Neurologic Disorders, sat down with NeurologyLive® at the Forum to discuss the MSDA test, and some of the topline findings from the case study. She provided perspective on the advantages the test brings to the MS clinical community and the differences seen in each patient.

Click here for more coverage of ACTRIMS 2023.