What does this research mean for the field?

In relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, dimethyl fumarate, but not rituximab, reduces serum GFAP levels and the risk of non-inflammatory disability progression, suggesting it has additional effects on astrocyte-related CNS pathology beyond peripheral immune modulation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare the effects of dimethyl fumarate and rituximab on serum biomarkers in relapsing-remitting MS.

April 15, 2026Open Access

Dimethyl Fumarate, But Not Rituximab, Reduces Serum GFAP Levels and PIRMA in Relapsing–Remitting MS

Key Points

To compare the effects of dimethyl fumarate and rituximab on serum biomarkers in relapsing-remitting MS.
Measuring serum levels of sNfL, GFAP, and PIRMA in subjects taking DMF and RTX.
Comparative analysis of biomarker levels before and after treatment.
Assessing disability progression rates in relation to biomarker changes.
Both DMF and RTX reduced sNfL levels, indicating reduced disease activity.
Only DMF led to a sustained decrease in GFAP levels and a lower risk of disability progression.
DMF may influence astrocyte pathology in addition to peripheral immune effects.

Abstract

Both RTX and DMF reduced sNfL levels, consistent with suppression of acute inflammatory disease activity. However, only DMF was associated with a sustained reduction in sGFAP and a lower risk of non-inflammatory disability progression. These findings suggest that DMF may exert additional effects on astrocyte-related or compartmentalized CNS pathology beyond peripheral immune modulation.

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Discussion

Authors

Fadi Shawket

J. Lycke

Jonatan Salzer

Journals

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

Actions

Institutions

Uppsala University

University of Gothenburg

Karolinska University Hospital

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Dimethyl Fumarate, But Not Rituximab, Reduces Serum GFAP Levels and PIRMA in Relapsing–Remitting MS

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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