'Disappointing news' for Saskatchewan patients after Albany clinic cancels MS trial

The Saskatchewan government is contemplating its next step after a clinic in the United States cancelled its trial into a controversial treatment for symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The Saskatchewan Party government was informed recently that the Albany Medical Centre is stopping its clinical trial into the effectiveness of angioplasty in treating chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and relieving the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Gary Siskin, who had been heading up the study, told the Ministry of Health that he was unable to meet the enrolment numbers necessary for the study to produce statistically valid results. Although Saskatchewan had a planned 86 participants, the research team in Albany could not recruit enough participants to meet United States government requirements for a clinical trial.

The therapy involves opening blocked veins in the neck. It is not available in Canada and despite some MS patients receiving the therapy overseas, it remains scientifically unproven.

Saskatchewan has more people suffering from MS than any province in Canada. The Ministry of Health says it will work with its health and research partners to explore other options.

This news is disappointing for the approximately 3,500 Saskatchewan people who want to know whether this kind of treatment can help relieve MS symptoms, said Health Minister Dustin Duncan in news release issued Monday.

Our government wants to do everything it can to search for answers and further the science for people with MS. Thats why Saskatchewan was supportive of this trial and will continue to be supportive of research that may provide answers for those with MS and their families.

Dr. Siskin said his centre regrets our inability to meet our target enrolment will make it impossible to draw statistically meaningful conclusions from this study ... The Government of Saskatchewan should be admired for its forward thinking approach and genuine compassion. The multiple sclerosis community is fortunate to have such a partner in its corner.

The Saskatchewan government had committed as much as $2.2 million to allow Saskatchewan patients to participate in the study. To date, costs reached an estimated $150,000.

Canadian researchers recently found no evidence to support the controversial CCSVI hypothesis. In what was described as one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., who scanned veins deep in the necks and heads of 100 MS patients, as well as in 100 people with no known history of MS or any neurological condition, found no significant differences in blood flow between the two groups.

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'Disappointing news' for Saskatchewan patients after Albany clinic cancels MS trial