Archive: June, 2010

• Food for thought: Clean eating to control disease progression?

  IOWA CITY – Ten years ago, doctors diagnosed Dr. Terry Wahls with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis. Traditional treatments didn’t slow her decline. Then, back fatigue [...]

  • Caroline says: I've posted on this topic in the past, and I will say again that I know of absolutely no clinical evidence that diet provides a curative effect on MS. That said, I am more compelled to post this story simply for the fact that clean eating and exercise can prevent all sorts of issues down the line and, in theory less toxin exposure equals a more stable and calm immune system. I think probably every human on this planet, not just PWMS, can benefit from changing their diet a little (or a lot). Personally I find the idea of giving up sugar (even wine, folks) quite frightening.
     
  • Related Links:
  • http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/97010634.html…
  
  

  • Abbott enters final clinical trial of MS drug

    Abbott Laboratories and its Massachusetts biotech partner have launched a final-stage clinical trial of their experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis. The first of an eventual 1,500 patients [...]

    • Caroline says: Abbott Labs and Biogen announced today that first clinical trials using daclizumab and PWMS will begin. Daclizumab is monoclonal antibody and will be administered in the form of a monthly injection.
       
    • Related Links:
    • http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0624-notebook-health-20100623,0,13…
    
    

    • Sativex Launched in UK

      LONDON—A drug manufactured from cannabis went on sale in the U.K. Monday as a treatment for symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Sativex, which is made from cannabis plants [...]

      • Caroline says: UPDATE from yesterday's post: according to this article, the NHS/NICE will pay for Sativex, a cannabis-based treatment approved for spasticity in MS patients. Cost will be approximately $16 US dollars/patient/day...American drug manufacturers: take note!
         
      • Related Links:
      • http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704895204575320392868152692.html?m…
      
      

      • Cannabis spray approved in Britain to relieve spasticity in PWMS

        LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) – GW Pharmaceuticals Plc’s (GWP.L) cannabis-derived medicine Sativex has been approved in Britain for treating spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis, in a [...]

        • Caroline says: Spray your way to spasticity-free nights...if you live in the UK. A cannabis-based under the tongue spray has been approved in the UK (with anticipated approval in Spain shortly). Debate continues as to whether or not the NHS/NICE will pay for it.
           
        • Related Links:
        • http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE65H1C920100618…
        
        

        • Mental activity can protect memory of PWMS

          A mentally active lifestyle may protect against the memory and learning problems that often occur in multiple sclerosis (MS), says a new study. “Many people with MS [...]

          • Caroline says: Stimulate your brain! The more active you keep your mind, the less cognitive dysfunction you'll have (despite your MRI), according to this study...does 20 hours per week of Bejeweled count as mental activity?
             
          • Related Links:
          • http://sify.com/news/mental-activity-can-protect-memory-of-patients-with-multipl…
          
          

          • CCSVI to cure MS? My arm needs a little more twisting…

            People with multiple sclerosis should be able to have surgery on blocked neck veins as part of a clinical trial, says the Italian doctor who pioneered what [...]

            • Caroline says: I've been reading more and more about this CCSVI lately...and still I am not sold on it. I obviously don't know enough about it, but the idea that narrowed veins might be causing my MS and associated symptoms seems fishy to me. The MS Society of Canada has announced that it will spend $700,000 to fund more research into CCSVI, however. So we'll see.
               
            • Related Links:
            • http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/06/15/zamboni-ms-ccsvi.html…
            
            

            • Biogen Idec Announces Enrollment of First Patient in Phase II BG-12 Combination Trial in MS

              CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jun 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Biogen Idec /quotes/comstock/15*!biib/quotes/nls/biib (BIIB 48.16, +0.04, +0.08%) today announced enrollment of the first patient in a multicenter Phase II [...]

              • Caroline says: Not to be outdone by Novartis (Gilenia) and Merck (cladribine) in the MS orals race, Biogen Idec announced the first patient enrollment in their EXPLORE trial, which evaluates BG-12 (Biogen's first oral) as combination therapy for patients who still experience disease progression despite being on treatment for at least one year.
                 
              • Related Links:
              • http://www.marketwatch.com/story/biogen-idec-announces-enrollment-of-first-patie…
              
              

              • Genzyme’s Alemtuzumab Granted Fast Track Status by FDA for RRMS

                CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jun 14, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Genzyme Corporation announced today that its alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis development program has been granted Fast Track status by [...]

                • Caroline says: Hot damn. Alemtuzumab has been granted fast-track status by the FDA, which means that the drug is eligible for expedited FDA review (read: it will be on the market sooner). Trials currently underway for alemtuzumab and MS are comparing it against Rebif.
                   
                • Related Links:
                • http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100615/FDA-grants-Fast-Track-status-for-Genzy…
                
                

                • Merck Refiles Cladribine for US Approval

                  FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)–German pharmaceutical and chemicals company Merck KGaA (MRK.XE) said Tuesday it resubmitted its application for U.S. regulatory approval of oral multiple sclerosis treatment cladribine–seven months [...]

                  • Caroline says: After the FDA refused to file their initial application in November 2009, Merck has re-filed their oral MS drug cladribine in June 2010.
                     
                  • Related Links:
                  • http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE62O0CG20100608…
                  
                  

                  • Teriflunomide in Adjunct to Interferon Beta Significantly Improved Outcomes of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

                    Sanofi-aventis reported today new one-year data from a Phase II study with teriflunomide, a novel oral disease modifier being investigated for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis [...]

                    • Caroline says: The age of orals is upon us...teriflumomide (Sanofi) added to beta interferon produced favorable outcomes when studied alone or as an adjunct to beta interferon. This is a Phase II study, which means this is a long way from FDA approval (interesting to keep on your radar, nonetheless).
                       
                    • Related Links:
                    • http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teriflunomide-in-adjunct-to-interferon-b…
                    
                    
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