Dr Iain Comerford, originally from Glasgow, who is working with MS Research Australia on a fellowship at the University of Adelaide, has managed to stop progression of the disease in mice using a new drug. The drug blocks the activity of a molecule known as PI3Kgamma, which is involved in the activation and movement of white blood cells, and protects against the damage to the nervous system associated with MS. Blocking the molecule reduces the release of inflammation-inducing molecules from immune cells and also dramatically decreases the movement of immune cells into the central nervous system. The research has already discovered new ways to treat human inflammatory disorders, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and has now been extended to MS. Dr Comerford, a former Glasgow University student who also trained at the Beatson Institute, said human trials of the drug are already under way in other labs around the world. However, he said it would be at least another five years before any treatment is made available to humans. He said: "It will now be crucial to determine whether targeting these molecules could be a safe and effective way to treat MS in humans. "In the animal model, it … Continue reading →

An extract made from an active ingredient in marijuana may be able to help multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with their muscle stiffness. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. About 400,000 Americans and 2.1 million people worldwide have MS, with 200 more being diagnosed every week in the U.S. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 50, and twice as many men have MS than women. While it can develop in all ethnic groups, it is often found in Caucasians of northern European ancestry. Symptoms occur when an immune-system attack targets myelin, the material that protects the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. It destroys the myelin and creates scarred or "sclerotic" tissue. The disease can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis and blindness, among other symptoms. Muscle stiffness also occurs in 90 percent of the cases, according to the study researchers. Play Video Researchers gave 279 patients at 22 MS treatment centers around the U.K. either a tablet that contained tetrahydrocannabinol -- … Continue reading →

By David Moskowitz With Biogen-Idec`s (BIIB) new multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment, BG-12, approaching a decision by the FDA (PDUFA date December 28th), enthusiasm in the medical community is building for this highly effective, safe, and orally administered treatment for the disease. As we noted in a prior article, the chance that BIIB would acquire Elan Corp. (ELN) given the impending launch of BG-12 appears to be slim to none (see PropThink`s prior story here). Importantly, the large medical conference, ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment and Research In Multiple Sclerosis) starts Wednesday, and we are hearing that the noise on BG-12 in the research community and on Wall Street is building significantly, with physicians indicating that most newly diagnosed patients and patients moving to alternative treatments will likely end up on BG-12 therapy given its clear benefits. That`s a big problem for ELN, given that its lead value driver and MS treatment, Tysabri, heavily depends on new patient starts to maintain and grow its sales base. Tysabri sales are currently growing in the 13-15% range, and unlike BG-12`s oral preparation, Tysabri is administered in a hospital or clinic as a one hour IV infusion. In addition, because of the drug`s impact … Continue reading →

WESTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Biogen Idec (BIIB) will have extensive data from the companys leading multiple sclerosis (MS) franchise presented during the 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Lyon, France, October 10 13. Fifty-three poster and platform presentations will further showcase Biogen Idecs commitment to advancing the treatment of MS and improving the lives of people living with the disease around the world. For nearly 20 years, Biogen Idec has had a steadfast commitment to the MS community. This began with the approval of AVONEX and then TYSABRI, and continues today with the global regulatory submissions for oral dimethyl fumarate, said Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president, development sciences and chief medical officer, Biogen Idec. Our continued dedication to the advancement of MS treatment is evident in our pipeline, which is the deepest in the industry. Though significant advances have been made, we will not rest while there is so much more we can do to improve the lives of those living with MS. Data from the Biogen Idec MS Pipeline Key scientific highlights being presented during ECTRIMS from the companys pipeline will include analyses of pooled data from the Phase … Continue reading →

LYON, France, October 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The MS in the 21st Century initiative has taken a significant step forward with its publication in the Journal of Neurology, a leading journal in the area of neuroscience with a significant impact factor of 3.8. The published article entitled Future MS care: a consensus statement of the MS in the 21st Century Steering Group [http://www.springerlink.com/content/l04084qgw2p647j5 ], details the work of a panel of European and Canadian neurologists and representatives from umbrella organisations, which came together to define how multiple scleroris (MS) treatment and standards of care should look in the 21st Century. The "MS in the 21st Century steering group" also aims to align the broader MS community to minimum standard of care as well as to challenge the current treatment paradigm. Over the course of three meetings, the MS in the 21st Century steering group compiled a Consensus Statement, which it hopes will act as a call to action for healthcare providers and decision makers. The Consensus Statement communicates the groups vision ie full access to personalised treatment, with reimbursement, to achieve freedom from disease, and outlines the seven key areas of development that it believes must be addressed to realise … Continue reading →

CTVNews.ca Staff Published Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 10:44PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 8:08AM EDT A Canadian study that tracked 80 multiple sclerosis patients who underwent the controversial liberation treatment outside of the country suggests that about half of them saw their symptoms improve after the procedure. Researchers in British Columbia surveyed 80 people over the phone one year after they received the controversial treatment, which involves opening up blocked veins to improve blood flow from the brain. The picture that seems to be coming out is that about half of the patients feel some improvements in MS symptoms. The degree of improvements ranges from mild to significant, Dr. Anthony Traboulsee, medical director of the UBC Hospital MS Clinic, told CTV News. And about half the patients feel exactly the same as before the procedure or worse. About 11 per cent of surveyed patients reported complications around the time they received the liberation treatment. Another 13.8 per cent experienced troubles up to one month afterward. Pain and bleeding were among the complications experienced. One patient suffered a stroke after the procedure while another one reported symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. Nine patients had difficulties related … Continue reading →