Octave Bioscience's MSDA Test validated for accurate MS relapse vs. pseudoexacerbation detection
Octave Bioscience, Inc. has announced publication of an independent, investigator-initiated study in the journal Neurology and Therapy evaluating the Octave Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) Test in one of the most consequential judgment calls in MS care, whether a patient’s new or worsening symptoms reflect a true inflammatory relapse or a pseudoexacerbation.
Entitled Utility of Multi-Analyte Protein Assay to Distinguish Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Relapse from Pseudoexacerbation, the retrospective observational study enrolled 66 people with relapsing multiple sclerosis at a single academic medical center. Researchers compared blood-based MSDA Test Disease Activity Scores with MRI findings to evaluate the test’s ability to distinguish true inflammatory relapse from pseudoexacerbation. MRI evidence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions served as the reference standard for active inflammatory disease, and investigators also compared the performance of the multi-protein MSDA Test with neurofilament light chain (NfL), a commonly studied biomarker of neuronal injury.
Key findings from the study:
- Objective accuracy: The MSDA Disease Activity Score identified MRI-confirmed active inflammatory disease with 100% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and a 100% negative predictive value, and outperformed neurofilament light (AUC 98.1% vs. 82.8%).
- Confident decisions: The test provides objective, quantifiable data to help clinicians determine when MRI or corticosteroid treatment is warranted.
- Timely insight: In acute cases, the test was obtained before MRI 79% of the time, offering earlier biological insight when decisions are time-sensitive.
The Octave MSDA Test is the first and only commercially available blood test that measures 18 validated protein biomarkers designed specifically for multiple sclerosis disease activity. Providers can order the test, and patients can visit any of the 7,000 Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide for a simple blood draw. The test is reimbursed by health insurance, with financial assistance available to patients. The MSDA Test is performed at Octave's CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited, and New York State CLEP-approved laboratory in Menlo Park, California.
