MS News That Caught My Eye: Ocrevus Q&A, Cheap SPMS Therapy in Testing, and New Research

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by Ed Tobias |

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In case you missedĀ them, here are some news stories that appeared in MS News Today that caught my eye over the past week.

MSAAā€™s Dr. Jack Burks Responds to Readersā€™ Questions About Ocrevus and Its Use

All over the internet MS patients are asking questions about Ocrevus, the DMD that received FDA approval in March. This interview, byĀ Magdalena Kegel, answers many of the questions that I’ve seen.

Recently approved, Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) should now be available nationwide for patients prescribed the therapy. But as with any new treatment, concerns about safety and practical issues are on many patientsā€™ minds.

Multiple Sclerosis News Today asked Dr. Jack Burks ā€” a neurologist and researcher who servesĀ as chief medical consultant toĀ the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) ā€” to comment on variousĀ concerns voiced by its readers, mostĀ of whom are MS patients.

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NMSS, British Partners to Launch Phase 3 Trial to Determine Efficacy of Simvastatin in SPMS Patients

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a relatively inexpensive drug to attack secondary progressive multiple sclerosis? Simvastatin may turn out to be that drug. Joana FernandesĀ writes about a continuing study of it that’s underway in the U.K.

The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ (NMSS), together with its British partners, plans to launchĀ a Phase 3 trial in the next few months to investigate whether simvastatin ā€” a cheap drug that controls cholesterol levels ā€” may be a suitable treatment for people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).

The trial, expected to last six years and cost $7 million, will enroll 1,180 SPMS patients across the U.K. ItĀ will receive funding from the NMSS, various British universities and, also in the U.K: the MS Society, the National Institute for Health Research, and the National Health Service.Ā A previous Phase 2 clinical trial with 140 SPMS patients led by Jeremy Chataway, of the University College London Institute of Neurology, showed that the rate of brain shrinkage in people receiving high doses of simvastatin slowed significantly over a two-year period.

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society Commits to $17 Million for 43 Research Projects

I’m always interested in new research projects, particularly because new research frequently can mean new opportunities to participate in a study. Here, writerĀ Magdalena Kegel mentions just a handful of these projects, but I’d encourage you to drill down deeper, using the links in the story, to look at all 43 studies. You might find one that’s recruiting participants and that’s relevant to you.

The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ is pumping $17 million intoĀ 43 research projectsĀ that represent almost half of its $40 million research funding commitment in 2017.

Among the projectsĀ are trials evaluating intermittent fasting as a way to harness inflammation, and stem cell research. A growing number of studies indicate thatĀ stem cells can slow MS activity, and repair the damage to the nervous system that is associated with the disease.

One of the criteria that the MS Society uses to decide which projects to fund is whether they have the potential to deliver results in a short time.

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Note:Ā Multiple Sclerosis News TodayĀ is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those ofĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.

Comments

Donna avatar

Donna

What is the therapuetic dosing of simvistatin in the UK research study for potential SPMS treatments? Are there any of these studies ongoing in the US?

Reply
Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Hi Donna,

According to the published results of Phase 2 of this study, the dosage was 80mg. You may also be able to find out more detailed information about this on the web site of the university conducting the study: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0517/090517-ms-statins

Ed

Reply
Elaine Terr avatar

Elaine Terr

Hi is this available in a us or nz thanks
Ellaine

Reply
Ed Tobias avatar

Ed Tobias

Hello Elaine,

I'm not sure what your "this" refers to. If you're asking about simvistatin, I'd suggest you contact the university that's doing the research: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0517/090517-ms-statins

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