This paper gives a good overview of the current state-of-the-art thinking of the immunology of MS.
More than two thirds of patients with MS taking the experimental oral drug fingolimod (FTY720) have remained relapse free for at least 3 years, researchers reported at the AAN.
The sustained benefits of fingolimod were seen among patients in an open-label extension trial of a phase 2 trial of the drug. Very good news indeed!
We've reported on the benefits to people with MS of pot and booze, so now it is coffee's turn.
It's animal data, but we'll take what we can get when it allows us to rationalize another vice. I'm hoping for the study that says sex helps stop MS, but I don't know how they'll get the mice to cooperate.
MediciNova has announced positive clinical findings from the completed two-year Phase II clinical trial of orally administered MN-166 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
The data showed that sustained disability progression was significantly less likely (by approximately 50%) in those patients receiving MN-166 at either 30 or 60mg per day for 24 months than in those patients receiving the drug for 12 months (p=0.026).
Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis announced that they have completed their initial drive to collect one thousand blood and data samples to build the largest openly accessible, multi-disciplinary repository ever assembled for use in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.
You can see the current status here.
Indian company Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said its Switzerland unit has completed the crucial IND-enabling pre-clinical studies for its monoclonal antibody GBR 500, used to treat multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
A look at their posted pipeline shows one other drug for MS called GRC 4039.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has reported encouraging results from a three-year study evaluating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients who failed first-line monotherapy and switched treatments.
The results demonstrated that patients who switched from interferon beta (IFN beta) to Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection) experienced a 77% reduction in annualized relapse rates (0.63 to 0.14). In addition, these patients did not progress significantly in their disability as measured by expanded disability status scale (EDSS).
Our latest poll, "Has having MS in your life (you or loved one) had any positive influence?", wants to know what good has come of your exposure to MS, if any. After voting, leave a comment on the poll explaining your answer.
Our previous poll found that the top 3 symptoms MSNews readers would like cured are (in this order): Mobility/Dexterity, Fatigue/Heat Sensitivity, and Cognitive/Emotional.
GW Pharmaceuticals said in a statement to the stock exchange (regarding recent Sativex trial results) that the patient response rate to its drug was "very high", but the difference from response to a placebo was insufficient so the trial was unable to yield a "statistically significant outcome".
The drug became the first cannabis-derived medicine to win regulatory approval when it was approved in Canada in 2005 as a treatment for pain in multiple sclerosis patients and it is also available in Britain on special prescriptions.
This article talks about how container gardening is ideal for people who use wheelchairs. In fact, the Action Online newsletter from the United Spinal Association has many interesting articles for the disabled. I recommend signing up for their mailing list if you like these sorts of tips.
