Biological markers to confirm diagnosis and monitor the therapy in multiple sclerosis patients.

In patients suspected of multiple sclerosis (MS), even in the case of MRI positive changes, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is of great practical value. Until now, however, only IgG index, restricted oligoclonal IgG bands and the examination of IgG subclasses have been of practical value. The determination of other immunological markers is too expensive to be introduced into laboratory diagnostic standards in MS. However, the clinical trials should be monitored by a large set of markers of MS activity, including the estimation of anti MBP antibodies, presence of MBP material in the CSF and concentration of sVCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM-1 in CSF and serum.