Real-world Utilization of a Novel Multi-analyte Blood-based Biomarker Panel, the Octave® Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) Test in Clinical Practice Across the United States
Darin Okuda1, Gargi Datta2, Elisa Sheng2, David Brazel2, Jonathan Verrier2, Ferhan Qureshi2, Terrie Livingston2
1UT Southwestern Medical Center, 2Octave Bioscience
Objective:
Describe real-world use of the Octave® Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) Test, a validated blood-based biomarker panel for multiple sclerosis (MS), in US clinical practice.
Background:

The complexity of MS highlights the need for reliable, accessible biomarkers to improve disease management. Blood-based biomarkers provide a minimally invasive, cost-effective, scalable way to monitor disease activity (DA) and guide personalized treatment. They can identify inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, track treatment response, and detect subclinical activity. Integrating them into routine care may enhance early diagnosis, optimize therapy, and improve long-term outcomes.

Design/Methods:
We conducted descriptive analyses of Octave® MSDA Test data and characterized score changes over time. Requisition forms captured demographics, current disease-modifying therapy (DMT), testing reason, and MS diagnosis date.
Results:

The MSDA Test has been commercially available since 2022. By September 2025, 21,138 tests were ordered from 198 institutions, 359 providers, in 15,040 MS patients. Baseline demographics include mean age of 52.0 years, 77.0% female, 76.8% White, 14.7% Black, and 4.4% Hispanic.

Among patients with DMT data, 44.4% were on high-efficacy DMTs (anti-CD20s, natalizumab, cladribine, alemtuzumab) at their latest test; 34.2% were not on a DMT. DA scores were 65.2% low, 28.5% moderate and 6.3% high (mean 4.0). 71.5% patients had 1 test, 20.8% had 2, and 7.7% had ≥3 tests. For patients with ≥2 tests ≥3 months apart, mean DA score changes exceeded the 1.24 minimum detectable change for previously high scores. Top HCP-reported indications for testing included routine monitoring, therapy assessment, DMT response, and baseline evaluation.

Conclusions:
This report highlights the growing use of the MSDA Test in US clinical practice and its clinical utility for tracking meaningful change. Ongoing research is essential to fully realize the Octave® MSDA test's impact and ensure smooth integration into clinical workflows.
10.1212/WNL.0000000000216116
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