Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) designation to Hope Biosciences‘ adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HB-adMSCs) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). RMAT status is given to therapies with compelling proof that they may substantially improve patient outcomes compared with existing…

The International Progressive MS Alliance has introduced the MS Clinical and Imaging Data Resource, or CIDR, to accelerate the search for effective treatments for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) where options are limited. The resource was built in partnership with McGill University in Canada, as well as…

For children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis (MS), receiving treatment with Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) or its generic formulations may reduce relapses by nearly threefold compared with Avonex (interferon beta-1a), according to data from a clinical trial. However, nearly half of patients on Copaxone and one-third of those…

People genetically prone to a higher body mass index (BMI) are also more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), a study finds. The findings confirm an association between being overweight or obese and a higher likelihood of developing MS, and suggest that lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight…

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) begin using healthcare services more frequently up to 15 years before their first MS symptoms appear, a study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) suggests. The findings add to evidence that early signs of MS may go unnoticed for many years.

Lucid-MS, an oral small-molecule being developed by Quantum Biopharma for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), was found to be safe and well tolerated in healthy adult volunteers when given daily in a clinical study, according to the company’s latest CSR, or clinical study report. An earlier Phase 1…

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) — a protein that gets released when nerve cells are damaged — is found at high levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting its potential as a biomarker of the disease, a study has found. CSF is…

In progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment with estrogen hormones such as estradiol may help reduce inflammation and nerve damage — especially among patients for whom the disease may be triggered or worsened by viral infections — a mouse study has found. U.S. researchers investigating the impact of sex…

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are significantly more likely to visit an emergency department if they have other health problems, aren’t on disease-modifying treatments (DMTs), or have public or no insurance, according to a study at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Although ED [emergency department] visits for MS…

Regular exercise that follows established guidelines for physical activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to clinically meaningful gains in depression and supports its use as a nonpharmacological treatment for people with MS, a meta-analysis of 12 studies suggests. The meta-analysis, “Effects of meeting exercise guidelines on depression and…

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) visited doctors, were admitted to the hospital, and used emergency care more often than other people more than two decades before their diagnosis, a large study finds. The use of these services peaked in the year before a diagnosis, but visits to a primary…

The rates of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who advance from a relapsing disease course to a secondary progressive one have decreased significantly in the past decades, a 30-year study in Italy shows. While the greater availability and earlier use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have played a role,…

Following the MIND diet plan, rich in leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, nuts, berries, and lean meats, may help strengthen the body’s antioxidant defenses in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. The Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet combines the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes those…

In healthy adults, a single low dose of Immutep’s immunosuppressive candidate IMP761 continues to be safe and appears to reduce the activity of T-cells — immune cells that become overactive in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases. This is according to data from an ongoing Phase…

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) at a younger age tend to consistently have better physical health but worse mental health than those diagnosed later, a study found. While physical health declined in the long term for all age groups, and mental health increased, the differences between groups were…

Ambio Life Sciences has launched a clinical program to test ibogaine — an experimental, naturally occurring psychedelic — for neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The program aims to offer therapeutic support in a safe, medically supervised setting. Now open to the public following a soft launch…

Enrollment is now complete in the twin Phase 3 clinical trials testing Immunic Therapeutics‘ oral small molecule vidofludimus calcium in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). ENSURE-1 (NCT05134441) has enrolled 1,121 patients and ENSURE-2 (NCT05201638) has enrolled 1,100 patients at more than 100…

Body mass index (BMI), a measure commonly used measure of body fat based on a person’s height and weight, does not seem to affect responses to stem cell transplant in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. While the efficacy of an autologous transplant — one that…

Almost two years of treatment with fenebrutinib — an investigational oral tablet for multiple sclerosis (MS) — helped patients with relapsing forms of the disease remain nearly free of relapses and disability progression. That’s according to new data from the open-label extension of FENopta (NCT05119569), a Phase…

While subtle symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) — like muscle weakness, fatigue, and numbness or unusual sensations — are often overlooked in individuals with minimal disability, more detailed clinical tools can help detect these early signs, according to a new study from Italy. Moreover, such tools — including wearable…

Half of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the U.K. who work have compromised their health by staying in jobs that didn’t fully support their MS needs, and nearly a third are in roles below their skill levels. That’s according to “No compromises: supporting people with MS to thrive…

A 10-week program that combines cognitive behavioral therapy — a technique focused on understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — with cognitive training to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills may enhance memory, boost vitality, and help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop effective coping strategies. “These…

Stem cells from donated placentas appear safe and may help reduce symptoms of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small, open-label Phase 1 clinical trial involving five patients. “Our results suggest possible neuroprotective effects” from these stem cells, researchers wrote in “Cell therapy with placenta-derived mesenchymal…

Three months of daily supplements containing ellagic acid — an antioxidant found naturally in many fruits and plants — significantly reduced disability levels and eased fatigue, depression, and anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small clinical study from Iran. Indeed, the researchers noted a “statistically…

Non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness and exercise may improve sleep for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) while boosting overall psychological well-being and quality of life, according to a meta-analysis of several studies. While the studies were very different from each other, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions, the…

As multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses, the disease may reduce the number of mitochondrial DNA copies, suggesting the number of copies could serve as a biomarker for disease progression and response to treatment. That’s according to a genetic study involving data from thousands of patients of European ancestry. Mitochondria are…

Injections of methotrexate into the spinal canal given every three months were safe and well tolerated, and helped adults with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) maintain stable disease levels for up to nine years. That’s according to data from a small, open-label Phase 1 clinical study (NCT02644044)…

Vidofludimus calcium, an experimental oral therapy from Immunic Therapeutics, reduced the risk of confirmed disability worsening and slowed brain shrinkage in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s according to top-line data from CALLIPER (NCT05054140), a Phase 2 clinical trial testing a daily dose of…

The healthcare costs of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) are high, according to a real-world study in Spain, and higher still for younger patients and those with severe disability who cannot walk unaided, even for short distances. On average, yearly costs for one patient amount to more than €41,000…

Biostate AI is partnering with the nonprofit Accelerated Cure Project (ACP) to develop a series of artificial intelligence (AI) models that can predict multiple sclerosis (MS) progression and how patients may respond to treatment. As part of the partnership, Biostate AI will use its high-throughput technology to…