Small, early study suggests skin patch can suppress MS immune activity

In this placebo-controlled study, the team enrolled 30 people with relapsing-remitting MS. Treatments were administered via an adhesive patch placed on the right upper arm. Participants were [...]

• Full post: Small, early study suggests skin patch can suppress MS immune activity
• Caroline says: This link was sent by an MS News Today reader, and I had to read it more than once to understand it. Basically, a skin patch containing components of myelin or placebo was given to 30 people and the results showed that in the people who received the myelin patch, immune activity was suppressed. These results are obviously very positive, especially since the article mentions that previous similar studies have not had such promising results. Further tests and study are essential.

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Posted on Dec 27.10 to pipeline   

Teva says FDA won’t approve new version of Copaxone

The Jerusalem-based company received a complete response letter, which means the FDA informed the company it is not willing to approve the drug at this time. Teva [...]

• Full post: Teva says FDA won’t approve new version of Copaxone
• Caroline says: The FDA has declined to approve a new formulation of Copaxone for RRMS. The currently approved injectable dose is 20 mg of glatiramer acetate in one milliliter of solution, and Teva is trying for 20 mg of glatiramer acetate in half a milliliter of solution (read: more side effects). Teva may need to run an additional clinical trial showing the new version works as well as the old version.

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Posted on Dec 27.10 to current therapies   

Stem cells have been stimulated to regenerate the myelin sheath that is damaged in MS

MS could be reversed by activating stem cells in brain, new study suggests Scientists have shown that the damage caused to nerve cells in multiple sclerosis could [...]

• Full post: Stem cells have been stimulated to regenerate the myelin sheath that is damaged in MS
• Caroline says: All of today's MS treatments address symptoms -- that is, they don't repair any damage. A new study in the UK has found the cell development route that turns brain and spinal cord stem cells into myelin-making cells (in rats and mice). If this same pathway could be switched on by drugs in humans, the cells could potentially regenerate the damaged myelin sheaths around the nerve fibers of MS patients.

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Posted on Dec 07.10 to pipeline   

FDA Delays Approval of Oral Cladribine for 3 Months

The Food and Drug Administration extended the pill’s priority review period by three months to Feb. 28, 2011, to examine additional information on the product, Darmstadt, Germany-based [...]

• Full post: FDA Delays Approval of Oral Cladribine for 3 Months
• Caroline says: This is big news! Oral cladribine was slated for US FDA approval in 2010, meaning it should have been approved any day. The FDA has extended the review time for oral cladribine for 3 months, which means the decision to approve it will now be in February 2011.

One comment.
Posted on Nov 26.10 to cladribine approvals, pipeline   

Hype around MS ‘cure’ proves deadly

The recent death of Ontario resident Mahir Mostic, who died from complications after undergoing the procedure in Costa Rica, has revealed a sobering truth: that liberation therapy’s [...]

• Full post: Hype around MS ‘cure’ proves deadly
• Caroline says: An Ontario man has died after inadequate follow up after undergoing CCSVI in Costa Rica. This is very sad and will hopefully deter some of the patients traveling overseas to receive this treatment. Our deepest sympathy for his wife and young son.

3 comments.
Posted on Nov 22.10 to pipeline   

World’s first stem cell trial for stroke patients

The elderly man was injected with roughly two million neural stem cells at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. They hope the stem cells will help the man [...]

• Full post: World’s first stem cell trial for stroke patients
• Caroline says: Stem cells are a very promising hope for many patients, not just those with MS of course. This article is important because it marks the first trial to test the safety and feasibility of stem cell implantation.

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Posted on Nov 22.10 to current therapies   

It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over: Koplowitz Runs on Tradition and Heart

Zoe Koplowitz, who has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for the past 37 years, was still on the NY Marathon course Monday evening. She runs the 26.2 mile pilgrimage through [...]

• Full post: It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over: Koplowitz Runs on Tradition and Heart
• Caroline says: I have been reading about this woman for as long as I can remember. Her stamina, courage and fortitude are absolutely amazing and we can all learn from this...cheers to you, Zoe Koplowitz.

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Posted on Nov 08.10 to lifestyle   

FDA approves Nuedexta for psudobulbar affect in MS

“This FDA approval represents a significant step forward for people who live with the debilitating effects of PBA,” said Dr. Nicholas LaRocca, Vice President of Healthcare Delivery [...]

• Full post: FDA approves Nuedexta for psudobulbar affect in MS
• Caroline says: Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) was a new term for me. It refers to "emotional incontinence" or "involuntary emotional expression disorder" (IEED) found in patients with neurologic diseases like MS. Emotional incontinence/IEED refers to episodes of uncontrolled laughing or crying. PBA/IEED affects approximately 10% of MS patients. Read more about PBA/IEED here.

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Posted on Nov 03.10 to current therapies   

HOT off the ECTRIMS Press…2010 ECTRIMS Meeting Coverage

• Full post: HOT off the ECTRIMS Press…2010 ECTRIMS Meeting Coverage
• Caroline says: Take a look at relevant ECTRIMS presentations in this link...all consolidated onto one handy page.

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Posted on Oct 27.10 to lifestyle   

Biogen Reports 2 New PML Cases in October

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company said in its latest monthly update that as of Oct. 1, there have been 70 confirmed cases of PML, up from 68 [...]

• Full post: Biogen Reports 2 New PML Cases in October
• Caroline says: This brings the total number of cases to 70, 14 of them fatal. I just read that the test Biogen has developed to assess PML risk could be available as early as January 2011.

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Posted on Oct 23.10 to current therapies