March 30, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Hope, But No Cheers Yet, Voiced by MS Groups in Europe and Canada Waiting on Own Ocrevus Decision American patient groupsĀ and neurologists haveĀ clearly been giving Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) plenty of attention since news of its approval landed, as a sweep of U.S. reaction to the FDA’s decision showed. But what is happening elsewhere in regard to this firstĀ treatment for both primary progressive and relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)?…
March 29, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Excitement to Cautious Optimism ā Reactions to Approval of Ocrevus TheĀ historic approval of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), the first-ever treatment for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), set off ripples in the relatively calm waters of MS news reporting. The drug, which was also approved Tuesday as an unusually effective and safe treatment for relapsing MS, is viewed as a game-changer…
March 29, 2017 News by admin Multiple Sclerosis in Mother Increases Chance of Children Having ADHD, Study Suggests Mothers with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, have a higher risk of having children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a Norwegian study. The findings were reported in a study titled āAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring of Mothers With Inflammatory and Immune System Diseasesā…
March 28, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD FDA Approves Ocrevus as 1st MS Treatment for Both Relapsing and Primary Progressive Forms At long last, and for the first time in medical history, peopleĀ with both relapsing and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis have reason to celebrate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)Ā as a disease-modifying therapy for both forms of MS, aĀ chronic autoimmune disease.
March 28, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD CGEN-15001, Compugen’s Tolerance-Inducing Autoimmune Therapy for MS, Is Subject of Two Presentations CGEN-15001, which could become the first tolerance-inducing therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune conditions, is on the agenda of a scientific conference in Canada that is going on now and another conference in May. The first CGEN-15001 presentation thatĀ CompugenĀ isĀ delivering is atĀ theĀ Keystone Symposia: Immune Regulation in Autoimmunity and…
March 28, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Ocrevus’ Journey from Defiant Idea to Game-Changing Treatment Twenty years ago, the idea that B-cell depletion could treat multiple sclerosisĀ would have been greeted with a hearty laughĀ byĀ any well-respected neurologist or MS researcher ā or perhapsĀ a scoff. But times change and research advances. Today, a medicine that gets rid of certain B-cells may beĀ the most powerful drug yetĀ developed against…
March 28, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Increased Rab32 Protein Levels May Be Involved in MS Progression, Canadian Study Finds HighĀ levels of a protein called Rab32 may contribute toĀ the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to neuronal loss, a new study concludes. The study, āRab32 connects ER stress to mitochondrial defects in multiple sclerosis,ā appearedĀ in the Journal of Neuroinflammation. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in the production…
March 27, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Two Genes Team Up to Increase Risk of Multiple Sclerosis, Study Indicates A person unlucky enough to have two specific gene variants is at significantly higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study. The research, which gave scientists insight into the processes that cause MS, also suggestedĀ that another mutation increased the effects of a known MS risk gene. The…
March 27, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD MS Patients Face Higher Risk of Contracting Kidney, Bladder Stone Disease, Study Finds PeopleĀ with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more likely to develop kidney or bladder stones than those without MS, a new study concludes. The report,Ā āMultiple sclerosis and nephrolithiasis: aĀ matched-case comparative study,ā appearedĀ in the journal BJU International. Stone disease is highly lethalĀ in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), a condition that,…
March 24, 2017 News by Larry Luxner National MS Society Urges Lawmakers to Oppose American Health Care Act, Details Why in Interview Carol Hardaway was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1990. After years of enduring relapses that brought episodes of complete blindness, numbness, tingling, debilitating fatigue, and short-term memory loss, the longtime resident of Texas ā a state which offers Medicaid only to specific categories like low-income families, pregnant women, and…
March 24, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society-Sponsored Group Creates Tool Set to Measure Outcomes in MS Clinical Trials Four newly published articles, the focused work of a group of researchers, evaluate the validity of four outcome measures commonly used in clinical trials of multiple sclerosis (MS) to set standards for such measures, the National MS Society recently reported. The effort by the Society-sponsored MS Outcome Assessments Consortium…
March 23, 2017 News by Stacy Grieve, PhD Early Rebif Treatment Prolongs Progression to Clinically Definite MS, Study Reports An extension of a Phase 3 clinical trial has shown that early treatment with Rebif (interferon beta-1a) in patients with initial manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS) can prolong the time to a clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) diagnosis over fiveĀ years. The study, āSubcutaneous interferon Ī²-1a in…
March 23, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD The Countdown Is on for This Year’s MuckFest MS Fundraising Series The 2017 version of MuckFest MS, the five-kilometer fundraising mud-run series, will begin in a few weeks. The event, organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Event 360, features more than 18 obstacles in muddy settings. They include theĀ swing set, muck off, skid mark, and more. Participants…
March 22, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Worldwide Clinical Trials to Host Free Webinar on Biosimilars for MS Awareness Month Worldwide Clinical TrialsĀ has added two webinars to its free webinar seriesĀ ā the first to observeĀ Multiple Sclerosis Awareness MonthĀ in March and the second for Parkinsonās Awareness MonthĀ in April. Although both are free, attendees need to sign up in advance (see the link below). The first informative session will take place…
March 22, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Swallowing Problems in MS That Lead to Pneumonia Need Attention, Professor Says Swallowing difficulties and reduced cough are a major, yet commonly overlooked, issue in patients with multiple sclerosis and other brain conditions, according to Dr. Don Bolser, aĀ University of FloridaĀ (UF) professor. Pharmaceutical companies haven’t recognized the importance of preventing bits of food and drink from getting into the lungs while…
March 21, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Kadimastem Obtains US Patent for Neurodegenerative Disease Stem Cell Technology The United States has granted a patent toĀ Kadimastem’sĀ stem cell-based technology for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases of the nervous system. The patent involves the technology the company used to produce supporting cells in the central nervous system derived from human stem cells, including myelin-producing cells. TheĀ United…
March 21, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Physician Assisted Suicide’s Appeal to MS Patients in Unbearable Pain Highlights Urgency in Treating Depression Half of the more than 7,500 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients responding to a recent survey revealed they’dĀ consider physician-assisted suicide if they could no longerĀ enjoy anything that made life worth living. In addition, 65 percent of respondents said they’d definitely or probably let a physician terminate their lives if they were…
March 20, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Alkermes Begins Phase 3 Study of ALKS 8700 as Relapsing MS Treatment AlkermesĀ has started a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating ALKS 8700, the oral monomethyl fumarate (MMF) prodrug it is developing for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The multicenter, double-blind, active-controlled trial (NCT02634307) will examine whether the gastrointestinal tract can tolerate ALKS 8700 better thanĀ Tecfidera…
March 20, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD EBI2 Receptor Facilitates T-cell Invasion of Brain in MS, Animal Study Shows Scientists have identified a receptor that promotes the influx of damaging immune T-cells into the brain of a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, āEBI2 is highly expressed in multiple sclerosis lesions and promotes early CNS migration of encephalitogenic CD4 T cells,ā appearedĀ in the…
March 17, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD In Reversal, NICE Recommends Relapsing MS Treatment Zinbryta for England and Wales The United Kingdom’sĀ National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has cleared its initial doubts and now recommendsĀ Zinbryta (daclizumab)Ā to treatĀ relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in England and Wales. NICE had initially rejectedĀ Zinbryta after a first stage of the drugās review process, due to some issues linked to…
March 17, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Ocrevus and the Hope of ‘Ending MS Forever’: Interview with MS Societyās Tim Coetzee The potential approval of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)Ā this monthĀ supports the idea that, someday, a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS) is possible, according to Dr. Tim Coetzee, the National Multiple Sclerosis Societyās chief advocacy, services and research officer. While Coetzee ā and the society he representsĀ ā realize the potential of…
March 17, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Full Transcript of Interview with Tim Coetzee of the National MS Society Here is a transcript ofĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today‘s interview with Dr. Tim Coetzee ā chief advocacy, services and research officer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society ā about the importance of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s awaitedĀ decisionĀ onĀ Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), and the other ongoing research. Tim…
March 16, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Discovery of T-cells’ Role in Myelin Regeneration Could Lead to Therapies That Mimic Processes Regulatory T-cells in the central nervous system trigger the maturation of stem cells that increase the production of myelin at injured neurons ā a discovery that places the idea of regeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) in a whole new light. Myelin is a substance essential to the functioning of the…
March 16, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Acorda Launches Interactive and Talking ‘MS Awareness Facts’ Alexa Service for March In recognition of multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness month, Acorda Therapeutics has launched its Alexa skill, calledĀ MS Awareness Facts. Ā The interactive voice-controlled serviceĀ allows users to ask Amazon Alexa for information regarding MS and its debilitating symptoms. Amazon Alexa is a cloud-based service that enable customers to interact in…
March 15, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Pilot Study May Lead to Telemedicine Benefiting People with Multiple Sclerosis Telemedicine, which allows healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance with telecommunications technology, may soon benefit people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Elizabeth Morrison-Banks, MD, a health sciences clinical professor at theĀ University of California at RiversideĀ School of Medicine,Ā is planning a pilot one-year study of a home-based…
March 15, 2017 News by Charles Moore MS Views and News to Host ‘MS Champions’ Gala on April 22 in Florida MS Views and News, aĀ non-profit multiple sclerosis (MS) advocacy organization,Ā will host its second annual Champions Tackling MS Gala on April 22, with money raised goingĀ to support live educational events, community resources, and services intended to help improve the quality of life for peopleĀ with MS. The Saturday event at the…
March 14, 2017 News by Charles Moore Clinical Test of Rex Robotic Device as Rehabilitation Aid for MS Patients Starting in UK A clinical test of whether bionic robotics can improveĀ mobilityĀ in peopleĀ with relapsing orĀ progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and considerable disability is now recruiting participants, after being approved by the U.K. National Health Service’s Health Research Authority (HRA) ethics committee. The trial, called RAPPER 3Ā (Robot Assisted Physiotherapy Exercises with Rex…
March 14, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Fungal Compound Boosts Axon Regeneration, Offering Clue for MS Treatment The idea of repairing damaged axons ā a key component of advancing disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) ā just got closer to reality, with the discoveryĀ that a compound found in fungi triggered axon regeneration, making damaged axons grow ālike weeds.ā Scientists have long struggled to find compounds that stimulate the…
March 13, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Muscle Health Test Shows Importance of Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis A new test can show how exercise is benefiting people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions. The evaluation of muscle health inĀ individuals with MS, spinal cord injuries and other severe nerve damage conditions is usually done with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other expensive equipment. Researchers in the…
March 13, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD UMass Amherst Receives $833,000 Pentagon Grant to Create Improved MS Diagnostic Test Kinesiology professor Richard van Emmerik and his colleagues at the University of Massachusetts AmherstĀ recently received a two-year $833,000 grant from the U.S.Ā Department of Defense to create an improved diagnostic test for multiple sclerosis (MS). The scientists expects their research toĀ help an estimated 2.3 million people worldwideĀ who live with…