Posts by: Ana Pena, PhD

Ana Pena, PhD

Ana is a molecular biologist with a passion for discovery and communication. As a science writer she looks for connecting the public, in particular patient and healthcare communities, with clear and quality information about the latest medical advances. Ana holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she specialized in genetics, molecular biology, and infectious diseases

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020

Gene Therapy Recovers Vision in Mice Models of MS, Uncovers How Neuron Connections Are Destroyed

News

Early research in animal models and human samples reveals how loss of communication between nerve cells contributes to the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and shows how gene therapy ... Read more

January 20, 2020January 20, 2020

Being Bilingual May Help to Delay Cognitive Decline in MS, Study Suggests

News

An ability to speak more than one language may help to protect people with multiple sclerosis (MS) against the cognitive decline caused by the disease, new research suggests. The ... Read more

January 16, 2020January 16, 2020

Magenta Therapeutics to Advance Safer Immune Reset Therapy for MS Stem Cell Transplant in 2020

News

Magenta Therapeutics will continue to advance its investigational conditioning therapy CD45-ADC for patients with autoimmune diseases undergoing stem cell transplants, the company highlighted in a progress report. CD45-ADC is a ... Read more

January 2, 2020January 3, 2020

Future MS Trials Should Focus on Patient Experience, Providing Long-term Data, Working Group Says

News

Trials testing new immunotherapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) should focus more on patients’ experiences and on symptoms relevant for them such as fatigue, depression, and cognitive difficulties, a German ... Read more

December 19, 2019December 19, 2019

Treatment Begins in Part 2 of Trial of Software App Addressing Depression in MS, Pear Says

News

Pear Therapeutics announced that a first patient is being treated in Part 2 of its feasibility trial of Pear-006, a software application that, given along with a disease-modifying therapy, delivers ... Read more

December 10, 2019December 10, 2019

Astrocytes in Brain Seen as Possible Trigger of Progressive MS via Processes of Metabolism

News

Processes related to metabolism in brain cells known as astrocytes may be at the origin of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly underlying the inflammation and damage to the nervous system ... Read more

December 3, 2019December 3, 2019

microRNA Found in Gut Microbiome May Unlock Future Therapeutic Approach for MS

News

A small RNA molecule found in high levels in the gut of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could be used to develop a new therapy for MS in the ... Read more

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019

MS Risk Linked to Herpes Virus 6A and Not More Common 6B, Study Suggests

News

Human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A), but not a widespread variant of the virus called HHV-6B, could be one of the root causes of multiple sclerosis (MS), new research suggests. Compared to ... Read more

November 26, 2019November 26, 2019

Problems Processing Sensory Information Linked to MS Severity, Difficulties in Daily Life, Study Finds

News

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) — both with and without cognitive impairments — have trouble processing sensory information, which is linked to greater disease severity and difficulties in daily ... Read more

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019

Protein That Helps Cells Break Down Sugar Also Promotes Inflammation, Study Suggests

News

A protein involved in cell metabolism, called PKM2, was found to be central to switching ‘on’ immune cells that play critical roles in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as ... Read more

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

Ocrevus Top Choice of US Neurologists for Active SPMS, But Mayzent and Mavenclad Gaining Interest, Report Says

News, SPMS

Genentech‘s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) continues to be the most prescribed medication to reduce inflammatory disease in people with active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) among U.S. neurologists, even though Novartis’ Mayzent (siponimod) and EMD Serono’s Mavenclad (cladribine) were ... Read more

November 12, 2019November 17, 2019

Acthar Gel Quite Effective at Resolving Relapses as Alternative to Corticosteroids, Study Reports

News

Acthar Gel is more effective for treating flares in multiple sclerosis than other alternatives, including intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis, a claims-based study from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals reports. The study “Treatment Effectiveness for Resolution of ... Read more

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019

Siemens Healthineers Joins with Quanterix to Develop Blood Tests for NfL Levels

News

Siemens Healthineers has signed a license and supply agreement with Quanterix that helps it in developing blood tests for neurofilament light chain (NfL) to aid in early disease detection, ... Read more

November 5, 2019November 5, 2019

EMA Safety Group Advises Lemtrada Be Limited to ‘Highly Active’ RRMS Patients at Hospitals with ICUs

News

Seven months after starting a safety review of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) that oversees the safety of medicines approved in the European Union has issued ... Read more

November 4, 2019November 4, 2019

Mutations in 3 Genes Linked to Vision Loss and MS Severity in Hopkins Study

News

Mutations in genes related to the immune system’s first line of defense are associated with a greater likelihood of more severe forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) linked to faster ... Read more

November 1, 2019November 13, 2019

Interferons Superior to Glatiramer Acetate, and Tysabri More Effective than Gilenya for RRMS, Real-world Study Finds

News

Interferon therapy (brand names Avonex, Betaseron, and others) is more effective than glatiramer acetate (sold as Copaxone, Glatopa and other generics) for reducing relapses and disease activity, and delaying ... Read more

October 31, 2019October 31, 2019

Medicinal Cannabinoids Not Effective for Mental Disorders, Small Relief on MS Anxiety, Analysis Suggests

News

A joint analysis of 83 studies, involving 3,000 people, concluded that there is “scarce evidence” to say that the use of medicinal cannabinoids — chemical compounds in the cannabis ... Read more

October 25, 2019October 25, 2019

Twice Daily Dosing and Side Effects Top Reasons Patients Seen to Stop Tecfidera in Small Study

News

A twice-daily dosing schedule and side effects like nausea and flushing are key reasons why more than 10% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients followed for a year stopped using Tecfidera (dimethyl ... Read more

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019

Potential RRMS Fumarate Treatment Free of ‘Flush’ Effect to Enter Trial in 2020, Vitalis Says

News

Vitalis is planning to open a pivotal clinical trial into its new formulation of fumarate, called VTS-72, that has shown promise in easing flushing — a common and troublesome side-effect of ... Read more

October 21, 2019October 21, 2019

GAL Gene Variant May Put MS Patients at Risk for Rapidly Progressive Disease, Study Suggests

News

A genetic variant in the galanin gene (GAL) appears to be a risk factor for more severe multiple sclerosis (MS), nearly doubling the risk of rapidly progressive disease, particularly in ... Read more

October 18, 2019October 18, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Are Injectables Inappropriate for Active Relapsing MS Treatment?

News

With more high-efficacy therapies becoming available, is it now inappropriate to prescribe older injectables — interferon beta and glatiramer acetate — to people with active relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)? ... Read more

October 15, 2019November 8, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Ofatumumab Part of ‘Magnificent Success Story’ for MS, ASCLEPIOS Trial Investigator Says

News

Ofatumumab, an investigational B-cell therapy being developed by Novartis, demonstrated encouraging results in lowering relapse rates and active brain lesions in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) enrolled in the ... Read more

October 15, 2019October 15, 2019

Immunic Therapeutics Fully Enrolls Phase 2 Trial of Oral IMU-838, Potential RRMS Treatment

News

Immunic Therapeutics announced that a Phase 2 clinical trial of IMU-838, its experimental oral therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is fully enrolled ahead of schedule. The trial, called EMPhASIS, also exceeded ... Read more

October 11, 2019October 11, 2019

Mavenclad, Ocrevus Use Rising in EU as Injectables and Tysabri Decline, Spherix Reports

News

Prescriptions of two multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments — Merck KGaA‘s Mavenclad (cladribine) and Roche‘s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) — have been rising in Europe over the past six months, bolstered by greater ... Read more

October 9, 2019October 9, 2019

CMSC Grant to Support Kessler Foundation Study of Low-risk Exercise in MS

News

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) has awarded a grant to Kessler Foundation researchers, supporting a pilot study into how well different low-risk exercise regimens ease multiple sclerosis ... Read more

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Is Rituximab a Reasonable Option for MS Patients? No, Researcher Says

News

Editor’s note: This is the third story in a three-part report examining the question, “Is rituximab a reasonable alternative treatment for MS?”, which was a topic discussed at this ... Read more

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Is Rituximab a Reasonable Option for MS Patients? Yes, Researcher Says

News

Editor’s note: This is the second story in a three-part report examining the question, “Is rituximab a reasonable alternative treatment for MS?”, which was a topic discussed at this ... Read more

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Is Rituximab a Reasonable Option for MS Patients?

News

Editor’s note: This is the first story in a three-part report examining the question, “Is rituximab a reasonable alternative treatment for MS?”, which was a topic discussed at this ... Read more

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Mollii Suit Can Ease Muscle Stiffness and Improve Movement, Reports State

News

Mollii, an electrostimulation suit, can help reduce muscle stiffness, or spasticity, and its associated pain, as well as improve muscle activation in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, ... Read more

September 25, 2019September 25, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Should Vitamin D Supplements Be Recommended for MS? No, Researcher Says

News

Editor’s note: This is the third story in a three-part report examining the question “Should vitamin D supplements be recommended for MS patients?”, which was a topic discussed at ... Read more

September 25, 2019September 25, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Should Vitamin D Supplements Be Recommended for MS? Yes, Researchers Say

News

Editor’s note: This is the second story in a three-part report examining experts’ answers to the question “Should vitamin D supplements be recommended for MS patients?”, which was a ... Read more

September 25, 2019September 25, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Should Vitamin D Supplements Be Recommended for MS?

News

Editor’s note: This is the first story in a three-part report examining the question “Should vitamin D supplements be recommended for MS patients?”, which was a topic discussed at ... Read more

September 20, 2019September 20, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Mayzent’s Benefits from a Patient Perspective a ‘Key Question,’ Says EXPAND’s Principal Investigator

News, SPMS

The most recent data continue to support Mayzent‘s (siponimod) benefits and provide more insights on how this therapy can make a difference for those with relapsing forms of multiple ... Read more

September 20, 2019September 20, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Ahead for Mavenclad: Fuller Understanding of What Makes It ‘Unique,’ Serono Exec Says in Interview

News

Real-world data continues to support the safety and effectiveness of Mavenclad (cladribine tablets) in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), and several studies underway will help scientists gain in-depth understanding of how Mavenclad works, ... Read more

September 19, 2019October 2, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Ocrevus Living Up to ‘Game-changing’ Moniker, Genentech’s Hideki Garren Says in Interview

News

Two years after the approval of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), the latest data continue to support the benefits of the so-called “game-changing” therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS), while new insights highlight ... Read more

September 18, 2019September 18, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Ozanimod’s ‘Key Advantages’ May Lead to New First-line MS Therapy: Interview with Neurologist Jeffrey Cohen

News

Celgene‘s oral ozanimod, if approved, could be a first-line oral treatment option for people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), and one with relatively minor side effects. Recent results from the Phase ... Read more

September 18, 2019September 18, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 — Ponesimod Superior to Aubagio in Relapsing MS, OPTIMUM Trial Shows

News, SPMS

Actelion‘s ponesimod, an investigational oral treatment, is superior to Sanofi‘s Aubagio (teriflunomide) in lessening the frequency of relapses and easing fatigue symptoms in adults with active, relapsing multiple sclerosis ... Read more

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 – Tysabri During Pregnancy and After Delivery Seems Safe, Reduces Relapse Risk, Study Finds

News

Continuing Tysabri (natalizumab) treatment up to week 28 of pregnancy, and restarting soon after birth, reduces the risk of relapses in women with multiple sclerosis and appears to be ... Read more

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

#ECTRIMS2019 — Ofatumumab Superior to Aubagio in Lowering Relapse Rates and Lesions, Data Show

News, SPMS

Monthly under-the-skin injections of ofatumumab are superior to Aubagio (teriflunomide) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), leading to over 50% reduction in relapse rates, ... Read more

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