Telomere Length as a biomarker in Multiple Sclerosis (S9.002) (2023)

<h3>Objective:</h3> Our purpose is to evaluate two cohorts of patients with MS (PwMS) with different ages but similar disease duration. We measure their LTL and its correlation with clinical and radiological parameters. <h3>Background:</h3> Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortens with age as a physiological process and is associated with chronic inflammation and cellular senescence. Therefore, LTL may have an important role in the development and course of multiple sclerosis (MS). We hypothesize that chronologically young MS patients with short telomeres will behave similarly to older MS subjects. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Patients were divided into young (age 18–35 years) and elderly (≥ 50 years). Physical evaluation, 3T brain MRI post-processed with a Deep Learning Software and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurement by optical coherence tomography were performed. LTL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. The Stata program version 15 (Statacorp) was used. Independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for continuous variables and chi-squared tests for categorical data. <h3>Results:</h3> 105 patients were included (59% females), 56 young and 49 elderly (mean age 28 and 56 years, respectively). Mean disease duration was 5 and 6 years (SD 3.672 and 4.960), respectively. EDSS, T25F, 9HPT, mean RNFL thickness were similar in both groups. As expected, LTL was significantly shorter in older patients [0.60 (0.38–0.89) versus 0.58 (0.47–0.78), p=0.0081]. In elderly patients, LTL correlated with disease duration (p=0.05), EDSS (p=0.006), 9HPT (p=0.0022), brain lesion volume (p=0.0026) and with number of T2 lesions (p=0.01). Interestingly, in young patients, LTL did not correlate with neither clinical nor radiological variables. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> In our study, LTL showed correlation with disability and brain lesion volume only in elderly patients. These findings suggest that different mechanisms of neurodegeneration might be involved in aging PwMS. <b>Disclosure:</b> Mrs. Piedrabuena has nothing to disclose. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Merck. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi-Genzyme. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for ROche. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Merck. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi-Genzyme. The institution of Dr. Correale has received research support from Merck. The institution of Dr. Correale has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Correale has received research support from Novartis . Dr. Farez has nothing to disclose. Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for merck. The institution of Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for biogen. Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Merck. Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Teva. Marcela Fiol has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Roche. Dr. Marrodan has nothing to disclose. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Merck. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Merck. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Genzyme. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Roche. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Merck, . Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Biogen. Celica Ysrraelit has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Bayer. Celica Ysrraelit has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Celica Ysrraelit has received research support from ROCHE.