News

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021

Retinal Layer Thickness May Predict MS Progression, Relapses

News

Measurements of the thickness of the eye’s retina — the layer of nerve cells lining the back of the eye — could be used to predict disability progression and relapses ... Read more

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021

Overall Cost of DMTs Stable 2018–2020, Study Finds

News

The overall cost of disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) in the U.S. remained stable from 2018 to 2020, according to pharmacy and medical claims data from Prime Therapeutics’ insured ... Read more

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021

Mertk Gene Plays Key Role in Myelin Repair, Mouse Study Finds

News

A gene called Mertk has important roles in the repair of myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects neurons and that is lost in multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings ... Read more

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021

Under-the-skin Injection of Tysabri Approved in Europe

News

The European Commission (EC) has approved a new method to administer Tysabri (natalizumab) as a treatment for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This new delivery route involves a subcutaneous injection ... Read more

April 7, 2021April 9, 2021

Tecfidera, Gilenya and Ocrevus Losing Favor as Switch Therapies in US, Spherix Finds

News, Ocrevus

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), Gilenya (fingolimod), and Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) are losing ground to more recent therapies among U.S. multiple sclerosis (MS) patients switching treatment, according to the latest Spherix Global Insights’ report. The ... Read more

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021

Pediatric-onset MS Tied to Fewer School Years, Lower Income in Adulthood

News

People who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) as children are more likely to attain lower education levels, earn less in the workplace, and be more reliant on disability benefits later in ... Read more

April 6, 2021April 6, 2021

N-acetyl Cysteine Safe, But Failed to Lessen MS Fatigue

News

Treatment with the antioxidant N‐acetyl cysteine is well-tolerated, but failed to outperform a placebo at easing fatigue in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a small clinical trial found. More ... Read more

April 6, 2021April 6, 2021

Rates of MS Seem to Rise With Nations’ Prosperity

News

Rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) appear to rise with measures of prosperity, occurring more frequently in developed countries, according to a recent study. The reasons for such disparities may be ... Read more

April 5, 2021April 5, 2021

Reeve Foundation Launches Support Groups for People Affected by Paralysis

News

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has launched virtual support groups for people living with paralysis — either due to multiple sclerosis (MS) or other conditions — and their caregivers. ... Read more

April 5, 2021April 6, 2021

Switching From Gilenya to Lemtrada May Not Be Optimal Choice, Study Says

News

Previous treatment with oral Gilenya (fingolimod) is associated with a suboptimal response to Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) and an increased risk of secondary autoimmune disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, a study reports. ... Read more

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021

MS Run the US 3,260-mile Relay Keeps Going Despite Pandemic

News

The pandemic notwithstanding, MS Run the US has fielded 18 runners — including eight with multiple sclerosis (MS) — to traverse the United States to raise awareness and funds to ... Read more

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021

Protecting Myelin-producing Cells From Inflammation May Be Key to Treating MS

News

Prolonging a cellular defense mechanism shown to restore myelin — the protective sheath around nerve cell fibers that is lost in multiple sclerosis (MS) — may be key to treating ... Read more

April 1, 2021April 1, 2021

Wise Will Seek FDA Approval for Digital Anxiety Management Therapy

News

Wise Therapeutics intends to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of an anxiety management therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), following the positive results of a clinical trial. In ... Read more

April 1, 2021April 2, 2021

SPMS Patient First To Be Treated With Antibody Given via Nasal Spray

News, SPMS

For a first time, an immune-modulating antibody will be given via nasal administration to treat a person with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ... Read more

March 31, 2021March 31, 2021

In Real World, Tysabri Lessens Disease Activity, Reduces Relapses in Pediatric-onset MS

News

Off-label treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) significantly lessens disease activity and reduces the number of relapses per year in patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS), real-world data from Portugal show. The treatment ... Read more

March 31, 2021April 5, 2021

Machine Learning of Walking Patterns Could Help Predict MS Progression

News

A machine learning-based method that examines walking abnormalities in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could help identify patients who are at high risk of worsening symptoms, a study suggests. The ... Read more

March 30, 2021March 30, 2021

Sanofi Genzyme Launches Recruitment Website for Tolebrutinib Trials

News

Sanofi Genzyme has launched a website to help connect people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to one of the company’s four ongoing clinical trials testing its investigational therapy tolebrutinib. Interested men ... Read more

March 30, 2021March 30, 2021

Kesimpta Approved in EU as At-home Injectable Therapy for Relapsing MS

News

The European Commission has approved Novartis’ Kesimpta (ofatumumab) as the first self-administered, at-home B-cell-targeting therapy for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and active disease. Active disease in these forms, ... Read more

March 29, 2021March 29, 2021

PoNS Device to Help Adults in Rehab for Walking Problems Gets FDA Approval

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of a medical device called Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator or PoNS as a short-term treatment for walking difficulties in people with ... Read more

March 29, 2021March 29, 2021

Ponvory Recommended for Approval in EU for Relapsing Forms of MS

News

A branch of the European Medicines Agency has recommended that Ponvory (ponesimod) be approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults with active disease. This positive opinion from agency’s ... Read more

March 26, 2021March 29, 2021

NurOwn Cell Therapy Found Safe, Effective for Progressive MS in Phase 2 Trial

News

NurOwn cell therapy led to significant improvements in the physical abilities, vision, and cognition of people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in a Phase 2 clinical trial, top-line data show. In ... Read more

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021

Rituximab Fails to Lessen Brain Inflammation in Progressive MS Trial

News, Rituxan, SPMS

Injecting rituximab — a cancer therapy sometimes used in multiple sclerosis — into the spinal canal of people with progressive forms of MS did not demonstrably lower inflammation or improve clinical ... Read more

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

Early MRI Findings May Predict Disease Worsening in Children with MS

News

Abnormalities detected on MRI scans at the onset and within the first two years of disease may predict disability worsening in children with multiple sclerosis (MS), a nine-year study reports. ... Read more

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

Dosing Begins in Trial of Anokion’s ANK-700 for RRMS

News

A Phase 1 clinical trial investigating ANK-700 as a means to restore immune tolerance to myelin in people multiple sclerosis (MS) has begun dosing participants. Currently recruiting at a single ... Read more

March 24, 2021March 25, 2021

UK ‘Mega-trial’ Testing Multiple MS Therapies to Start This Year

News

Doctors in the U.K. are planning a “mega-trial” to investigate several marketed therapies — at the same time — as potential treatments to halt the progression, or even reverse the ... Read more

March 24, 2021March 25, 2021

Health Canada OKs Self-administered Kesimpta for Adults With Active RRMS

News

Health Canada has approved Kesimpta (ofatumumab) for the treatment of adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who have active disease, as defined by clinical and imaging features. In contrast with other ... Read more

March 23, 2021March 25, 2021

Pilates Helps Men With MS Gain in Balance to Lower Fall Risk, Study Finds

News

Pilates, done regularly, can significantly improve balance and posture in men with multiple sclerosis (MS), helping them to avoid falls and the injuries they can bring, a small randomized trial in ... Read more

March 23, 2021March 23, 2021

Certain Factors Worsen Outcomes in MS Patients With COVID-19

News

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have more extensive mobility issues are more likely to have worse outcomes from COVID-19, a new study indicates. The study findings also indicate that ... Read more

March 22, 2021March 22, 2021

Pack Health, With NMSS Support, Brings Coaching Platform to MS Community

News

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) is helping Pack Health, a patient engagement platform, to optimize and expand its digital health coaching program to assist people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Building on ... Read more

March 22, 2021March 22, 2021

National MS Society Encourages Patients to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

News

Most patients with relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 — and any vaccine of three authorized for use in the U.S. ... Read more

March 19, 2021April 2, 2021

Ponvory (ponesimod) Approved for Adults With Relapsing Forms of MS

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ponvory (ponesimod) as an oral treatment for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The approval covers clinically isolated syndrome, ... Read more

March 19, 2021March 23, 2021

Ocrevus May Delay by 7 Years PPMS Patients’ Need for Wheelchair

News, Ocrevus

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) treatment may delay the need for a wheelchair by seven years in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), a study reports. This delay, drawn from clinical trial data ... Read more

March 19, 2021March 19, 2021

Survey: COVID-19 Concerns Affected MS Management

News

Concerns about COVID-19 caused people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to postpone or deviate from recommended care — including appointments, imaging scans, and laboratory tests, a survey found. But notably, while ... Read more

March 18, 2021March 19, 2021

Mavenclad Quickly Reduces MRI Lesions in Early MS, ORACLE-MS Data Show

News

Mavenclad (cladribine) reduces the number and volume of lesions in patients at risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) after a first clinical demyelinating event, a study based on Phase 3 trial data ... Read more

March 18, 2021March 18, 2021

More Trials Needed to Clarify Benefits of Alzheimer’s Therapy Memantine in MS

News

Treatment of up to a year with memantine — an approved therapy for Alzheimer’s disease — failed to prevent cognitive decline and disability, and to significantly reduce fatigue and spasticity in adults ... Read more

March 17, 2021March 17, 2021

ThermApparel Marks 4th Anniversary of Cooling Vest

News

ThermApparel is observing Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month by  celebrating the fourth anniversary of its cooling vest, designed for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and others with extreme sensitivity to heat. “Our mission was to ... Read more

March 17, 2021March 18, 2021

Nerve Cell Loss in Retina Found to Be Worse in Patients on Interferon-beta

News

The degeneration of nerve cells in the retina of the eye is more pronounced in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking interferon-beta than in patients treated with more efficacious disease-modifying therapies ... Read more

March 16, 2021March 17, 2021

Foot Drop Device Earns Innovation Challenge Prize

News

As winner of the Lyfebulb and Bristol Myers Squibb Innovation Challenge in multiple sclerosis (MS), Evolution Devices will use the $25,000 in prize money to further develop a smart stimulation ... Read more

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Minorities With MS Voice Interest in Clinical Trials, But Concerns Evident

News

Regardless of race or ethnicity, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) agree that clinical studies are important and show a willingness and interest in being participants, a primarily U.S. survey found. ... Read more

March 15, 2021March 15, 2021

47% Rise Seen in US Medicare Payments for MS and Like Therapies, 2013-17

News

The cost of medications for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurologic disorders saw a sharp rise between 2013 and 2017 in the U.S., a study of Medicare prescription claims shows. Analysis ... Read more