IL-6 as a marker for NMOSD disease activity

To date, there are no accepted soluble markers for disease activity and progression of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). We aimed to evaluate longitudinal interleukin (IL)-6 levels in sera of NMOSD patients in correlation with disease activity and brain volume. We analyzed IL-6 serum levels of 26 NMOSD patients during relapse and remission. Significantly increased IL-6 levels were detected in patients with NMOSD during relapse. Furthermore, increased IL-6 levels correlated with relapse severity and brain atrophy. Our findings suggest that IL-6 serum level could serve as a biomarker for disease activity in NMOSD.