September 6, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS Advocate Cathy Tolk Opens Website, Sharing Motivational Thoughts with Others Near and Far Cathy Tolk, a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient and a motivational speaker, has opened a website that features her weekly articles, video blogs or vlogs, inspirational messages, and mentions of two published books. Tolk, who lives in Connecticut, was diagnosed with MS in 1995 after years of bringing joy to…
August 23, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc NIH Grants $130K for Research to Improve Sleep of MS Patients University at Buffalo School of Nursing researchers have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop interventions to help improve sleep among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The grant, known as a K12 grant, is a career development award given by the NIH…
February 26, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Switching from Tysabri to Aubagio Can Help Lower Relapse Risk in MS Patients, Phase 4 Trial Shows Stable patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who transition from Tysabri (natalizumab) treatment to Aubagio (teriflunomide) have a lower relapse risk, a new study shows. The study, “Reducing return of disease activity in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis transitioned from natalizumab to teriflunomide: 12-month interim results of teriflunomide therapy,”…
February 22, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc New Compounds Offer Significant Anti-inflammatory, Neuroprotective Benefits in MS Mouse Study Two newly identified variants of the known pharmaceutical agent chloroindazole showed significant anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, a new study shows. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with no known cause or cure. Patients with MS characteristically show loss of the myelin sheath, a protective coat in nerve cells that helps increase cell-to-cell signaling. Several studies have suggested that estrogens — a type of hormone — are beneficial to the functioning of the central nervous system, and help regulate the immune system. Thus, they are attractive candidates for the treatment of MS. However, despite their potential to treat MS, estrogen-based therapies can have several undesirable side effects, such as feminizing male recipients and increasing the risk of developing breast and endometrial cancers in females. Interestingly, estrogens work by binding and activating two different types of receptors: the estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ. The cancer-inducing effects of estrogens are mediated mainly through estrogen receptor ERα. Hence, therapies that specifically target ERβ can bypass these deleterious effects. Chloroindazole (IndCl), a pharmaceutical agent, has up to 100-fold relative binding affinity for ERβ over ERα. IndCl has been shown previously to have beneficial effects on modulating the immune system and the central nervous system, and inducing myelination of nerve cells in mouse models of MS. Furthermore, IndCl and other ERβ-activating agents directly support the growth, differentiation (maturation), and overall myelination activity of oligodendrocytes, which are the nerve cells that produce the myelin sheath. Therefore, in order to optimize the benefits of IndCl, researchers developed and screened seven novel IndCl analogues for their ability to promote oligodendrocyte survival, growth, and differentiation. These analogues have a molecular structure closely similar to that of IndCl, but interact with estrogen receptors in subtly different ways. Among these seven compounds, researchers found two analogues — IndCl-o-chloro and IndCl-o-methyl — that stimulated growth and differentiation similar to the original IndCl. Next, researchers evaluated the benefits of these compounds in a mouse model of MS — the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model — to determine whether they could alter the disease course, white matter pathology (level of demyelination), and inflammation. Results indicated that both compounds “ameliorated disease severity, increased mature OLs [oligodendrocytes], and improved overall myelination in the corpus callosum and white matter tracts of the spinal cord,” researchers wrote. Corpus callosum is a thick band of nerves that connect the left and right side of the brain. White matter tracts connect the cortex (the largest part of the brain) with other areas in the central nervous system. These beneficial effects were accompanied by a reduced production of the toxic, inflammatory molecules interferon-γ and CXCL10. Additionally, IndCl-o-methyl also reduced the levels of peripheral interleukin (IL)-17, a molecule that strongly induces inflammation. Furthermore, IndCl and both analogues upregulated the expression of a compound called CXCL1, which is associated with increased production of oligodendrocytes. Not only were these two newly identified compounds equivalent to IndCl, but the two analogues performed better in reducing disability and encouraging remyelination than the original compound, and without any obvious side effects. “The o-Methyl and o-Chloro IndCl analogues represent a class of ERβ ligands that offer significant remyelination and neuroprotection, as well as modulation of the immune system; hence, they appear appropriate to consider further for therapeutic development in multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases,” the researchers concluded. “We believe we created a drug that does two things really well, modulating inflammation and allowing axon remyelination. No other drug on the market can do these two things simultaneously,” Seema K. Tiwari-Woodruff, said in a press release written by Stacy Kish. Tiwari-Woodruff is the study's lead author. “The most amazing part of the study is that these new analogues of a known estrogen modulator, chloroindazole, are superior in treating mouse model of multiple sclerosis,” she added. The team has patented the analogues, and hopes to begin further pharmacological and toxicity studies soon.
February 4, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS Trust Opens ‘Advanced MS Champions’ Program to Bring Better Care to UK Patients Healthcare specialists for multiple sclerosis patients in the U.K. with advanced disease and challenging needs are getting support and recognition through a new program from the MS Trust. Called the Advanced MS Champions Programme, it will recognize six MS specialist “champions” working with people with advanced MS, and their families…
January 8, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Biogen and Skyhawk Partner to Develop Small Molecule Therapies for Neurological Diseases Biogen and Skyhawk Therapeutics have created a strategic partnership that will allow both companies to use Skyhawk’s SkySTAR technology platform for the discovery of new small molecule treatments for neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen will be…
December 17, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Inactivation of S1PR2 Protein Shows Therapeutic Potential in MS Mouse Model, Study Reports Inactivation of S1PR2, a cell surface protein, helps improve clinical disability and reduce demyelination in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), a condition similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans, a study shows. This finding suggests that therapies blocking S1PR2 could have the potential to treat MS. The…
November 5, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc ‘MS On My Mind’ Aims to Help Others Better Understand Disease Through Words and Art EMD Serono has launched MS On My Mind with a goal of making people more aware of the emotional toll that multiple sclerosis (MS) can have on patients and caregivers. Patients are invited under the initiative to go to the MSIsOnMyMind.com website and finish the sentence “MS is on my…
September 19, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Ceramides Play Role in White Blood Cell Infiltration of Central Nervous System in MS The synthesis and metabolism of fat molecules known as ceramides is linked to G-CSF signaling, which increases white blood cell infiltration into the central nervous system and results in inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. The study titled, “The relevance of ceramides and their…
August 30, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Patients in US Wanted for iPhone App Data Study Looking to Better Understand MS Experience Researchers at Duke University are recruiting adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) for a study evaluating whether the use of a smartphone app that collects data can help capture the disease experience, improve communication with clinicians, and further an understanding of MS. The disease’s complex and varied symptoms means each patient…
August 27, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Test to Monitor Tysabri Levels in Relapsing MS Patients, moNATor by Abreos Biosciences, Available in US Abreos Biosciences announced the U.S. launch of moNATor, a laboratory-developed test that can help physicians monitor the levels of Tysabri (natalizumab) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Tysabri (approved for relapsing forms of MS, by Biogen) administered at a dose of 300 mg every four weeks is known to…
August 16, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS Patients With Anxiety, Depression Symptoms More Likely to Report Need for Mental Healthcare, Study Shows One-third of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in a Canadian study report a need for mental healthcare, with symptoms of anxiety and depression — but not current diagnosed mental health disorders — identified as predominant factors. The study, “Factors associated with perceived need for mental health care in multiple…
August 16, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Lemtrada Can Lower Number of B-cells Infiltrating Nervous System and Forming Clumps, Animal Study Shows Treating mice in a model of multiple sclerosis with Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) prevented the formation of B-cell aggregates in the animals’ central nervous system and disrupted already existing ones, researchers report. The treatment also reduced disease activity when administered at the peak of disease. The study, “Anti-CD52 antibody treatment depletes B…
August 13, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Kessler Foundation Scientist Receives NMSS Grant to Study Information Processing Speed in MS Patients Kessler Foundation scientist Silvana Costa, PhD, was awarded a $477,000 grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) to explore the effects of visual, cognitive, and motor deficits on information processing speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Costa is an associate research scientist in neuropsychology and neuroscience research.
August 10, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc TG Therapeutics Reaches Target Enrollment in Phase 3 Trials to Test Ublituximab in Relapsing MS TG Therapeutics announced it has reached target enrollment in the ULTIMATE I and II Phase 3 clinical trials assessing the use of ublituximab (TG-1101) to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ublituximab is a modified anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, which is designed to target a protein present on mature…
August 8, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Number, Location, Size of Lesions on MRI Can Predict Progression to MS, Study Shows The number, location, and size of lesions can help predict the risk of progression from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to multiple sclerosis (MS) within one year, a new study shows. The study, “MRI in predicting conversion to multiple sclerosis within 1 year,” was published in the journal…
August 3, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Remington College Opens Partnership with National MS Society by Raising $4,000 to Advance Goals Remington College initiated its partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by raising more than $4,000 to support the society and its efforts to advance research into multiple sclerosis and care for patients. The money was raised at campus events that marked World MS Day in May. In addition to encouraging…
July 26, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Machine Learning Platform Can Accurately Predict Onset of MS, Maker Says IQuity, a data analytics company, announced the launch of an analytics platform that uses machine learning to predict, identify, and monitor chronic disease within large populations of patients, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The platform was validated using a pilot study that assessed the healthcare claims of 20 million people…
July 23, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Hypertension More Common in MS Patients Than General Public, Study Reports People with multiple sclerosis are 48 percent more likely to have high blood pressure compared to the general population — and to people with other demyelinating diseases, a new study reports. Its researchers also emphasize that hypertension is already linked to poorer outcomes in MS patients. The study, “Cardiovascular…
July 20, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Tysabri Treatment Lessens Sexual Dysfunction in MS Patients, Study Finds Treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) can help lessen sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. The study, “Patient perceived changes in sexual dysfunction after initiation of natalizumab for multiple sclerosis,” was published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical. MS is…
July 18, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Non-fermentable Fiber Diet Helped Prevent MS in Mice A diet that incorporates non-fermentable fiber — a common component of a vegetarian diet — during early life can help prevent the onset of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. The study, “Dietary non-fermentable fiber prevents autoimmune neurological disease by changing gut metabolic and…
July 16, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS Patients Need More Advice from Physicians on Dietary Guidelines, Study Shows Health professionals are often not discussing the importance of following national dietary guidelines with their multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, causing them to turn to other sources like the internet that may advise potentially harmful diets with serious consequences, according to an Australian study. The study, “Dietary responses to…
July 10, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc RRMS Patients Show High Levels of Satisfaction and Adherence to Gilenya Over 2 Years in Danish Study People with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Denmark show high rates of adherence to treatment with Gilenya (fingolimod), and give the therapy high marks in terms of satisfaction and quality of life, a long-term study of its use by RRMS patients reports. The study, “High treatment adherence, satisfaction, motivation,…
July 5, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Grey Matter Atrophy Common to All with MS and Follows Ordered Sequence, Study Finds Grey matter atrophy — its loss — follows a sequential pattern that expands to involve more regions of the brain over time in all multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, regardless of their disease type, a new study reports. Atrophy progression is also similar between relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS)…
June 12, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Perceptions of Fall Risk as Important as Physical Limitations and Need Be Part of Risk Assessment, Study Says For ambulatory multiple sclerosis patients with mobility problems, perceptions of being at risk of falling are as important as the risk due to their physical condition — and both should be tested when evaluating fall risk in this patient population, a study reports. The study, “The relationship between physiological…
May 31, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Individual Temperament Can Affect Health-Related Quality of Life of MS Patients, Study Shows The temperament of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can have a significant impact on their health-related quality of life, a study suggests. The study, “Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: temperament outweighs EDSS,” was published in the journal BMC Psychiatry. MS patients’s quality of life…
May 30, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Study Examines Factors That Increase Risk of Progressing from RRMS to SPMS Age at disease onset, number of early relapses, and the extent of brain damage at baseline can help identify those who are at high risk of progression from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis into the secondary progressive phase of the disease, a new study shows. The study with that finding, “…
May 29, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS Patients Generally Able to Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Study Shows In general, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are able to make and sustain healthy lifestyle changes associated with a better quality of life, a study shows. The study, “Health outcomes and adherence to a healthy lifestyle after a multimodal intervention in people with multiple sclerosis: Three year follow-up,”…
May 21, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Fat-Derived Stem Cells a Potential Safe, Feasible Treatment for Secondary Progressive MS, Trial Shows Fat-derived stem cells are a safe and feasible treatment strategy for patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, results from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial show. Findings were published in the study, “Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSC) for the treatment of secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis: A triple blinded,…
May 18, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Rituximab Seen as Effective and Generally Safe RRMS and PMS Treatment in Study Rituximab is generally safe and effective in treating multiple sclerosis — with comparable effectiveness to Tysabri (natalizumab) in people with relapsing-remitting forms of the disease, a Swiss study reports. But patients using this therapy can develop recurrent infections, its researchers noted, and doctors should be vigilant. The observational study, “…