Brett Stone - Family lay hopes on Russian MS treatment Brett used to associate a trip to Russia with the Kremlin, cathedrals, palaces and the ballet. Now, with his body being ravaged from multiple sclerosis, he k... By: Ashleigh Muir … Continue reading →

Scientists have spent 25 years developing treatment at Cambridge Alemtuzumab infusion is given in two short courses over two years Despite costing 56,000, NICE has ruled treatment is cost-effective By Jenny Hope Published: 19:16 EST, 27 May 2014 | Updated: 02:24 EST, 28 May 2014 Landmark discovery: The brain of someone with MS, which can leave sufferers unable to walk - but new treatment could reverse the effects of the disease A new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis not only stops the disease from advancing but may help patients recover from disability. Remarkable results for the drug alemtuzumab mean it has been approved for use on the NHS and is now available in England. Originally a pioneering cancer therapy, Cambridge University scientists have spent almost 25 years developing it as a treatment for MS sufferers. Trials involving more than 1,500 patients show treatment led to fewer relapses compared with multiple jabs of the treatment beta interferon each week, cutting further disability and even allowing some existing damage to recover. Alemtuzumab is given in two short courses with one infusion a day for five days during the first year and three days during the second year followed by regular monitoring. Despite the … Continue reading →

A new drug based on decades of research at the University of Cambridge has today been approved by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Clinical trials have shown that Alemtuzumab, marketed under the name Lemtrada, reduces disease activity, limits the accumulation of further disability over time and may even allow some existing damage to recover. The approval has been welcomed by the Cambridge researchers whose work, which started in 1991, led to todays announcement, and by the MS Society. Professor Alastair Compston, Professor of Neurology and Head of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, said: I am delighted that the decision from NICE will make Lemtrada available on the NHS. This brings to a conclusion work involving a number of research groups in Cambridge, stretching back over several decades, which made possible our use of Alemtuzumab in multiple sclerosis. The decision from NICE now provides an opportunity for neurologists to offer a highly effective therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis early in the course of their illness. Dr Alasdair Coles, senior lecturer, also in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, added: We are delighted that … Continue reading →