Could this be a medical breakthrough for treating multiple
sclerosis? MSers may surely hope this is a step in the right direction.
Neurology, Science
Daily and other research journals are reporting that a new experimental
MS treatment is looking promising as a possible means of reversing nerve
demyelination. That’s the primary problem of MS.
Here’s the news, as it has just been released:
MINNEAPOLIS – A new treatment under investigation
for multiple sclerosis (MS) is safe and tolerable in phase I clinical trials,
according to a study published August 27, 2014, in Neurology® Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, published
by the American Academy of
Neurology.
The phase I studies were the first to test the drug
candidate in humans. Studies with animals showed that the drug, which is called
anti-LINGO-1, or BIIB033, may be able to reverse the demyelination of the
nerves. Anti-LINGO-1 blocks LINGO-1, a central nervous system protein that
prevents myelination.
Current treatments for MS work to reduce new damage to the
brain, but do not repair new or past damage. In MS, the body’s immune system
begins to attack the myelin that acts as insulation around the nerves in the
central nervous system. This makes it more difficult for the nerves to send
messages to and from the brain and spinal cord.
In the study, 72 healthy people without MS and 47 people
with either relapsing-remitting MS or secondary progressive MS were given the
drug or a placebo. The healthy participants received either a placebo or one
dose of the drug by an injection. The people with MS received either placebo or
two doses of the drug two weeks apart. In both groups, participants received
varying amounts of the drug, ranging from 0.1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg.
The occurrence of side effects was similar for people who
received the drug and those who received the placebo. Most side effects were
mild to moderate and were not related to the drug. Side effects included
headaches, upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. There
were no serious side effects or deaths.
There were no significant changes in vital signs, EKGs or
other safety tests of the drug. Doses of 10 mg/kg and higher resulted in concentrations
of the drug in the blood that were similar to or higher than the concentration
that was associated with 90 percent of the maximum remyelination effect in
studies with rats.
“With these results we have been able to start phase II
studies to see whether this drug can actually repair the lost myelin in humans
and have any effect on restoring physical and cognitive function and improving
disability,” said study author Diego Cadavid, MD, of Biogen Idec in Cambridge,
Mass., which developed the drug.
Cadavid is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
The study was supported by Biogen Idec. Learn more about multiple sclerosis at AAN.com/patients.
The actual chemistry of the drug and its action on the body
has not been published at this point. However, MSers and those who care for
them are watching and waiting for additional reports on the safety, efficacy,
and potential governmental approval of this new medication for MS.
Image/s:
Created by this user
Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment