Scientists Update Recommendations on MS Research

Patricia Silva, PhD avatar

by Patricia Silva, PhD |

Share this article:

Share article via email

multiple sclerosis ipadSeveral renowned scientistsĀ working on multiple sclerosis (MS) recently joined forces to discuss and highlight the progressĀ and knowledgeĀ gapsĀ related toĀ MS research, the prospectsĀ of finding a cure for the disease, and a strategy to reduceĀ the burden the disease places onĀ patients.

AĀ series of articles wasĀ published by the researchersĀ inĀ the February issue of the Lancet Neurology journal and stressĀ the need forĀ better diagnosis and MS treatments.

Authors from different academic fieldsĀ whoĀ share the same interest inĀ MS research have outlined aĀ state-of-the-art plan forĀ MS investigationĀ and updated information on what causes the disease to progress, its mechanisms, and the development ofĀ novel methodsĀ to conduct clinical trials.

The first article is focused on recent dataĀ concerningĀ nervous system damage leading toĀ progressive disability in MS, and calls forĀ increased insight intoĀ the causes of MSĀ disease progression. The authorsĀ Don MahadĀ from the University of Edinburgh, Bruce TrappĀ from the Cleveland Clinic, and Hans LassmannĀ from the Medical University of Vienna explained that progressive damageĀ can be either caused by oxidative injury (derived fromĀ normal byproducts of bodily processes called free radicals) or by injuries to mitochondria, which are the energy-producing organellesĀ insideĀ cells.

In addition, the authors state that both type ofĀ injuries, believed toĀ be initiatedĀ by MS attacks, are amplifiedĀ due to alterations throughout patients’ lives. Even though there is an increased understanding about the mechanisms behind MS, there are still not enough modelsĀ of the chronic stages of injuries related to the disease. The article can be read here.

Treating symptoms related to MS and rehabilitating patients suffering from them requires the evaluation ofĀ new therapies in clinical trials.Ā Anthony FeinsteinĀ from the University of Toronto, Jenny FreemanĀ from Plymouth University, and Albert Lo from Brown University believe that overall there have been too few studies involving only peopleĀ with progressive MS, and as a result there is aĀ lack ofĀ disease-modifying therapies for progressive stages of the disease.

[adrotate group=”4″]

Additionally,Ā Jeremy ChatawayĀ from University College London, along withĀ Daniel Ontaneda and Robert Fox, both from the Cleveland Clinic, debate the problem of negative results from phase III trials to evaluateĀ new therapies in progressive MS patients. The authors provideĀ a series of lessons and strategies to improve results, such as applying improvedĀ clinical measures of effectiveness, better trial designs,Ā and the use of advanced imaging tools and spinal fluid biomarkers to better understandĀ treatment benefits.

Finally,Ā Timothy CoetzeeĀ from the National MS Society, Paola ZaratinĀ from the Italian MS Foundation, and MS blogger Trevis GleasonĀ give insights on the needĀ for research partnerships, regulatory innovations, and more sustained funding for research. They also evaluate the work of the international organization Progressive MS Alliance, whichĀ has recently openedĀ a second request for research proposals,Ā encouragingĀ international research partnerships. The organization has been dedicated to funding and supporting research in order to improve the lives of MS patients.

ā€œEvery time a new treatment for RRMS comes on the market, it serves to remind people with progressive multiple sclerosis that they are still waiting,ā€ stated Alan Thompson from the University College London in his article on new MS therapies. The authors believe it is crucial to understand what causes the development of progressive MS, as well as to innovate clinical trialĀ design.