Increased Blood Levels of <scp>NfL</scp> , <scp>GFAP</scp> , and Placental Growth Factor After Radiotherapy to the Brain

In this study, we analyzed biomarkers of neuronal, glial, and vascular injury in longitudinal paired samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid after prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with small cell lung cancer. Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) increased in serum and cerebrospinal fluid after irradiation; serum NfL correlated with cerebrospinal fluid values, apparently independent of blood-brain barrier function, whereas GFAP correlations were weaker. Although several patients developed brain metastases, linear mixed model results were consistent with an independent effect of radiotherapy on serum NfL and GFAP. Serum placental growth factor also rose and correlated with the albumin ratio. Our results support a radiotherapy-associated increase of NfL and GFAP in blood.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Published
2025-12-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.70278
Primary Topic
Lung Cancer Research Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Increased Blood Levels of NfL , GFAP , and Placental Growth Factor After Radiotherapy to the Brain

Marie Kalm, Erik Fernström, Thomas Björk‐Eriksson, Pontus Erickson et al.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Lung Cancer Research Studies
article

Increased Blood Levels of NfL , GFAP , and Placental Growth Factor After Radiotherapy to the Brain

Marie Kalm, Erik Fernström, Thomas Björk‐Eriksson, Pontus Erickson, Jan Nyman, Henrik Zetterberg
article en

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed biomarkers of neuronal, glial, and vascular injury in longitudinal paired samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid after prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with small cell lung cancer. Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) increased in serum and cerebrospinal fluid after irradiation; serum NfL correlated with cerebrospinal fluid values, apparently independent of blood-brain barrier function, whereas GFAP correlations were weaker. Although several patients developed brain metastases, linear mixed model results were consistent with an independent effect of radiotherapy on serum NfL and GFAP. Serum placental growth factor also rose and correlated with the albumin ratio. Our results support a radiotherapy-associated increase of NfL and GFAP in blood.

Annals of Clinical and Translational NeurologyVol. 13(2)
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US), Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE), UK Dementia Research Institute (GB), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (GB), University College London (GB), University of Gothenburg (SE)
Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Familjen Erling-Perssons Stiftelse, Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University College London, European Commission, Hjärnfonden, Vetenskapsrådet, Barncancerfonden, Svenska Läkaresällskapet, Stiftelsen Jubileumsklinikens Forskningsfond mot Cancer, UK Dementia Research Institute, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Openalex Percentile: Top 45%
Lung Cancer Research Studies
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.