May 1, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: Early use of Ocrevus lowers disease activity in relapsing MS Nearly half of the people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) treated early with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in Phase 3 clinical trials showed no evidence of disease activity after up to nine years on the therapy, data show. In contrast, about one-quarter of enrolled patients who started on…
April 28, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: MS disability not worse for most on Kesimpta over 5 years More than 80% of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) given Kesimpta (ofatumumab) continuously for up to five years in a clinical trial did not have any documented worsening of disability over the duration of the treatment. That’s according to new data from the ongoing…
April 28, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: Low rates of disease activity after stem cell transplant There was no evidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity for at least two years in patients who underwent an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) at a center in Mexico. And by the most recent follow-up — a median of about seven years after the procedure —…
April 27, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: No relapses on Ocrevus for 90% of Black, Hispanic patients More than 90% of Black and Hispanic patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in a Phase 4 clinical trial experienced no new relapse activity or sustained disability worsening after nearly one year, according to an interim analysis. However, more than half of these patients experienced…
April 27, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: Aubagio reduced risk of developing MS symptoms in RIS trial Treatment with Aubagio (teriflunomide) significantly reduces the risk that adults with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) will develop symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), new clinical trial data show. This is the second trial showing that approved disease-modifying therapies can delay the development of MS in people who have…
April 26, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: TUDCA supplements lower inflammatory cell counts in progressive MS trial Supplements with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) were generally well tolerated among people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to findings from a small clinical trial. Results also showed that patients given TUDCA supplements had lower levels of certain inflammatory immune cells than those given a placebo, but no…
April 25, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: MSC-NP aids walking in advanced progressive MS patients Use of the cell therapy MSC-NP failed to show a significant effect on overall disability scores among people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data from a Phase 2 clinical trial. Results, however, indicated that MSC-NP improved walking ability for people with more advanced disease —…
April 25, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Possible treatment target in myelin damage, inflammation pathway Damage to the myelin sheath, a hallmark feature of multiple sclerosis (MS), leads to increased levels of fatty molecules called VLCFAs, which are converted by brain cells into an inflammation-driving signaling molecule called S1P, a study suggests. The discovery of this novel molecular pathway may open up new avenues…
April 24, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: MS therapies don’t seem to raise pregnancy complications Most treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) are not associated with an increased risk of complications during pregnancy, according to a new analysis. A few therapies were associated with slightly elevated rates of congenital abnormalities for babies exposed to treatment during pregnancy, but small sample sizes limit being able to…
April 21, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Secondary progressive MS found to start later, move slower than PPMS People with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) seem to experience slower worsening of their disabilities than those with the primary progressive form of the disease (PPMS), a new study reports. However, SPMS patients tend to be older and have more advanced disability when they enter the progressive stage…
April 18, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS New formulation of ibudilast found to ease inflammation in MS mice A novel formulation of ibudilast, delivered into the nose, was able to reduce inflammation and prevent nerve damage in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. The nasal formulation also improved regeneration of myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers that is progressively lost…
April 17, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Skin patches may be more convenient MS antibody medicine Scientists have developed new skin patches that could offer a more convenient and less painful way to administer antibody-based medicines to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other disorders. “The developed [skin] patch is minimally invasive, self-administrable, and designed to be fully embedded into the skin with a short…
April 14, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Abnormal perceptions may help cause heat sensitivity in MS: Study Abnormal perceptions of discomfort and fatigue likely play a role in causing increased heat and cold sensitivity to extreme temperatures among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. However, the results suggest that MS does not generally affect how the body regulates its own temperature. “Our findings…
April 14, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS High medical costs for MS patients starting Ocrevus, Lemtrada, Tysabri People with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to accrue more medical costs after switching to infusible therapies Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), Tysabri (natalizumab), or Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), according to an analysis of data from commercially insured patients in the U.S. “The overall healthcare costs for MS patients increased a lot…
April 5, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Findings may help optimize therapy for patients considering Ocrevus The way Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) affects immune cell profiles of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) varies depending on what treatments they were on previously, a new study shows. Understanding these differences could help to optimize treatment approaches for MS patients considering Ocrevus, scientists say. The study, “…
April 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS MS sexual issues associated with fatigue, depression: Study Issues with sexual performance and satisfaction are common with multiple sclerosis (MS), and show significant associations with measures of quality of life, a study shows. Sexual problems tend to be more pronounced among patients with severe fatigue and depression, data suggest. These findings highlight areas where healthcare providers can…
March 31, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Proactive steps needed to make MS rehab trials racially diverse: Study Clinical trials testing rehabilitation strategies for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) include a disproportionate number of white participants and have generally paid little attention to how race and ethnicity may influence outcomes. Further, few efforts have been undertaken to make MS trials more racially and ethnically diverse. A team…
March 27, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS More, earlier damage seen in primary progressive MS vs SPMS People with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience more severe inflammatory activity and nerve damage early on in the course of their disease as compared with individuals who have secondary progressive MS, a new study indicates. The results also suggest that primary progressive MS patients tend to have…
March 24, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS New wearable microscope can help image cell activity in mice A team of scientists has developed a wearable microscope — to be carried on the backs of animals in a lab — that can be used to evaluate cell activity in the spinal cord of living mice with greater clarity than has ever before been possible. The scientists say this…
March 22, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Experts call for testing for PML risk genes to guide MS treatments A pair of experts are calling for genetic tests to be developed to identify people at higher risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a serious brain infection that can occur as a side effect of certain multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments. “The availability of a simple, relatively inexpensive test…
March 16, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ‘A Campbell Never Quits’ podcast coming in March for MS awareness A new podcast series called “A Campbell Never Quits” is telling the life story of Tyler Campbell, a patient advocate who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) during his junior year at college. “The podcast aims to appeal to sports fans, people living with MS, and anyone who appreciates…
March 15, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Analyzing MS brain scans could further research into COVID-19 Because people with multiple sclerosis (MS) usually undergo regular MRI scans to image their brains, their data could help researchers learn more the long-term effects of COVID-19 on brain tissue. That’s the argument by a team of researchers in the paper, “Multiple sclerosis as a…
March 14, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Treatments with electrical nerve stimulation ease pain in small trial Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential currents (IFC) — both interventions apply electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on the skin — can help to ease pain in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to results from a small clinical trial. Results suggested that, while both treatments can reduce…
March 10, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Stem cell therapy MSC-NP can ease inflammatory activity in brain cells MSC-NP, a form of stem cell therapy that’s currently in early clinical trials for multiple sclerosis (MS), can reduce the inflammatory activity of brain immune cells called microglia, according to a new study. The therapy is known to reduce disease severity and improve myelin regeneration in animal models of…
March 9, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Ocrevus and early start with aggressive treatment favored in US Neurologists in the U.S. are generally favoring more aggressive early treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), according to an analysis by market research company Spherix Global Insights. With over a dozen therapies available in the U.S. to treat relapsing forms of MS, patients and providers have options to…
March 6, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ACTRIMS 2023: Can Do MS brings education, connection, activation Can Do MS has three missions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their care partners — providing education about life with the disease, building connections among people, and activating them to be proactive about managing their condition. “Those are the three pillars that our programs are built…
March 6, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ACTRIMS 2023: Delays in Ocrevus infusions not tied to greater MS activity People with multiple sclerosis (MS) being treated with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) less frequently than the recommended every six months are not more likely to experience inflammatory disease activity, an analysis of some 360 patients whose dosing schedules changed during the COVID-19 pandemic suggests. Nicole Bou Rjeily, MD, a postdoctoral…
March 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ACTRIMS 2023: TG aims to make Briumvi accessible to patients Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) recently became the third anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). TG Therapeutics, the therapy’s developer, is now aiming to make Briumvi the most accessible therapy in its…
March 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ACTRIMS 2023: Ibudilast did not lift life quality in progressive MS trial Treatment with the experimental oral therapy ibudilast (MN-166) does not significantly improve quality-of-life measures compared with a placebo among people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new data from a Phase 2 clinical trial. Analyses from the trial suggest that a marker of nerve damage…
March 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ACTRIMS 2023: High-dose vitamin D doesn’t reduce MS activity: Trial Taking high-dose vitamin D supplements as an add-on to standard MS treatment doesn’t reduce the risk of inflammatory disease activity for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to data from a clinical trial. The findings “suggest that prescribing higher doses of vitamin D for purposes of…