January 18, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Resilience Linked to Social Satisfaction and Quality of Life, but Not Physical Function in MS, Other Diseases Resilience, the ability of a person to cope with change and solve problems, is associated with satisfaction with social roles and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic diseases. However, it is not linked to a patient’s physical function, according to the results of a…
January 18, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Majority of Irish Physicians Approve of Cannabis as MS Treatment, Survey Finds Most Irish general practitioners (GPs) are against decriminalizing cannabis use, but many, especially those over age 50, sayĀ it canĀ be useful for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and other medical conditions, according to a recent survey. The results are detailed in the study, “Irish general practitioner attitudes toward decriminalisation…
January 17, 2017 News by Ćzge Ćzkaya, PhD Tecfidera Seen to Potentially Limit Vision Problems in MS Genetically silencing the transcription factor Nrf2 in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) results in visual deficits, inflammation of the optic nerve, and degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells (RGC), according to a study published in the scientific journal Molecular Vision.
January 17, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Cannabis Compounds Ease Spasticity in MS, National Academies’ Report States CertainĀ cannabinoids reduce spasticity symptoms inĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, according toĀ aĀ reportĀ from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and MedicineĀ thatĀ scrutinized published research about the benefits and hazards of cannabis and cannabinoid use. Cannabinoids also show proven effectĀ in other areas that may be importantĀ to MS patients, but they are linked…
January 16, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Multiple Sclerosis Association, Antidote Technologies Collaborate to Raise Clinical-trial Awareness The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) and Antidote TechnologiesĀ announced a partnership to increase awareness aboutĀ clinical trials on multiple sclerosis (MS) and to make important information more accessible. In addition to helping those with the disease, the effort aims to help companies planning trials to find participants for…
January 16, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Early Detection of PML May Lessen Damage Done to MS Patients Using Tysabri Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with Tysabri (natalizumab) is linked to better outcomes if the condition does not give rise to actual symptoms and is diagnosed early. Limited brain lesions and moreĀ protective immune responses were also seen in patients who fared better, but researchers…
January 13, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD B-cells Differ in Pediatric- and Adult-onset MS, Study Shows The immune system B-cells responsible for producing antibodies are different in those who developĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) asĀ children,Ā than in those who developĀ it as adults, a study shows. The research, āB-cell populations discriminate between pediatric- and adult-onset multiple sclerosis,ā was published in the journalĀ Neurology: Neuroimmunology & NeuroInflammation. Because only 3…
January 13, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Trio Wins Crafoord Science Award for Discovery of Regulatory T-cells’ Role in Autoimmunity Three researchers who discovered regulatory T-cells and their role in autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), have been awarded the Crafoord PrizeĀ by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The scientists āĀ Shimon Sakaguchi, Fred Ramsdell, and Alexander Rudensky ā are credited with advancing understanding of how the body…
January 12, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Sanofi, ImmuNext Partner to Develop Antibody to Treat Range of Autoimmune Diseases Sanofi and ImmuNextĀ have announced an agreement to develop an antibody with the potential to treat a series of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus. Under the terms of the agreement, ImmuNext will give Sanofi an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize INX-021, a CD40L…
January 12, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Key Ingredient in RegeneRx’s RGN-352 Treatment for MS Wins Australian Patent Australia has granted a patent toĀ RegeneRx BiopharmaceuticalsĀ for an active ingredient in a therapy that could benefit multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The patent is for Thymosin beta 4 (TĪ²4), the driving force in the company’sĀ RGN-352Ā treatment.Ā RGN-352 promotes myelination, or the production of protective myelin sheaths forĀ damaged neurons and other nerve…
January 12, 2017 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc Proximity to Heavy Traffic Raises Dementia Risk – But Not That of MS, Study Finds The effect air and noise pollution can have on the development of neurodegenerative diseases is not fully understood, but results from a large study published in The LancetĀ suggest living close to heavy-traffic roadways could increase theĀ risk of developingĀ dementia ā but not other neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS)…
January 12, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD TG Therapeuticsā B-cell Therapy Could Allow for Rapid Dosing, Early Data Suggest Early data fromĀ TG Therapeutics’ Phase 2 trial of its B-cell-targeting experimental multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment ublituximab (TG-1101), showed that the drugĀ is well-tolerated and effectively reduces B-cells in the blood. MS therapies that deplete B-cells have been effective in relapsing and progressive forms of MS. Like other B-cell-targeting drugs in…
January 10, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Magnetic Stimulation of the Brain May Aid Working Memory in MS Patients Repeated magnetic stimulation of the brain may help to rebuild the brain’s network in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to improved working memory, researchers reported. But more studies are necessary to confirm the procedure’s safety and efficacy as a treatment for MS. Results were published in a study titled…
January 10, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Researchers Identify 2 Cytokines Responsible for Chronic Flares in Autoimmune Diseases Researchers have identified two factors that allow Th17 cells āĀ Ā which drive multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune conditions āĀ to form memory cells in the body and cause repeated symptom flare-ups. Knowing the identity of the molecules, which are immune mediators called cytokines, will make it possible for scientists to search…
January 9, 2017 News by Janet Stewart, MSc Paleolithic Diet Improved RRMS Patients’ Quality of Life, Study Shows A modified Paleolithic diet reduced fatigue and increased the quality of life of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a study shows. The diet may also reduce inflammation by increasing vitamin K levels, the researchers said. The study, āRandomized control trial evaluation of a modified Paleolithic dietary…
January 9, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD EU Awards $15M to Global Consortium Aiming for Personal MS Treatments The European Commission isĀ awardingĀ 15 million euros to support MultipleMS, a large global projectĀ designed to develop newĀ personalized medicine approaches for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The funds, equal toĀ about $15.2 million, will be provided through the agency’s Horizon2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The program, the European Union’s largest research…
January 6, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Cyclophosphamide May Delay Disability in Secondary Progressive MS, but Tolerability Is an Issue, Study Shows Cyclophosphamide (CPM) may delay the progression of disability in the first years of secondary progressive multiple sclerosisĀ (SPMS), but patients must take it for two years — and many are unlikely to tolerate it for that long. The study, āDouble-Blind Controlled Randomized Trial of Cyclophosphamide versus Methylprednisolone in Secondary Progressive…
January 6, 2017 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc Fusion Protein, CGEN-15001, Shows Ability to Restore Immune Balance in Mice with MS Compugen has reported new and promising results from studies onĀ animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS) that supportĀ itsĀ lead drug candidate, CGEN-15001, as a potentialĀ treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases, including MS. Specifically, CGEN-15001 was shown to restore immune tolerance and balance in a durable and sustained manner in treated…
January 5, 2017 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD MS Antibodies Recognize Protein of Common Respiratory Tract Bacteria, Study Finds Researchers have found a microbial protein from the Haemophilus influenza pathogen that is recognized by antibodies in a subpopulation of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The finding supports the idea of a link between microbial infections and neurodegenerative diseases like MS, whose causes are uncertain. Haemophilus influenza is an opportunistic pathogen…
January 5, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD CHANGE-MS Phase 2 Study Fully Enrolled Early, Results Due in Fall GeNeuro recently announced that it has finished enrolling multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the CHANGE-MS Phase 2b Ā studyĀ ā several months ahead of schedule.Ā The company nowĀ expects to reportĀ topline results in mid- to late autumn rather than at year’s end. āCompleting enrollment in CHANGE-MS several months sooner than previously anticipated…
January 4, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Survey Assesses How Health Professionals Treat Other Health Conditions in MS Patients Healthcare providers frequently assess multiple sclerosis (MS) patients for the development of other health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, pain and sleep disturbance, according to results of a survey-study. The study also includes information about how health professionals treat and counsel MS patients diagnosed with these conditions. The study, ā…
January 4, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Top 10 Multiple Sclerosis Articles of 2016 A number ofĀ important discoveries, therapeutic developments, and events related to multiple sclerosis (MS) were reported dailyĀ by Multiple Sclerosis News Today throughout 2016. Now that the year is over, it is time to briefly review the articles that appealed most toĀ ourĀ readers. Here are the top 10 most-read articles of 2016, with…
January 3, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Inactivity and Poor Diet Are Common Risk Factors Among MS Patients, Study Says Lack of physical activity and a poor diet may be the most common risk factors for poor health and survival in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study. The research, āIndividual And Co-Occurring SNAP Risk Factors,ā was published in theĀ International Journal of MS Care. The development…
January 3, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Ocrevus Seen in Phase 3 Trials to Benefit Both Primary Progressive and Relapsing MS Patients Recently published data from three Phase 3 trials of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) show that the investigational drug does what no other therapy has achieved so far ā working to prevent disease in both relapsing and primary progressive (PP) forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Publications in the New England Journal…
December 22, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Use of Ibudilast as MS Treatment Shows Enough Promise to Continue Trial Ibudilast (MN-166) has shown enough promise as a treatment for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) that its U.S.Ā Phase 2b trial (NCT01982942) should continue, the U.S. National Institute of Health’s Data and Safety Monitoring Board has recommended. A key goal of the 96-week trial is to determine whether ibudilast canĀ slow the…
December 22, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD 21st Century Cures Act Expected to Bring Real Change to MS Patientsā Lives President Obama’s signing of the 21st Century Cures Act on Dec. 13 is expected to bring real change to those living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The legislation will lead to better research and clinical trials. It also puts increased weight on the role patients play in developing treatments for their…
December 22, 2016 News by Alexandra Andersson, PhD Cures Act May Speed Approval of Stem Cell Therapies for MS and Other Diseases The 21st Century Cures Act, recently signed into law by President Barack Obama, includes provisions that aim to speed up the process by whichĀ the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewsĀ stem cell treatments for patients with degenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease. This act also…
December 21, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD FDA Extends Review of Ocrevus as Potential Treatment for Both Forms of MS Until March The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently extended until the end of March its review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) forĀ Ocrevus (ocrelizumab). The application was submitted by Roche, requesting FDA approval forĀ Ocrevus as a treatment for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and ā for a first…
December 21, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD New Phase 3 Trial of Ocrevus to Treat RRMS Begins Enrolling Patients in US Genentech is recruiting U.S. participants for a Phase 3 study (NCT02637856) of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who were notĀ helped by previous disease-modifying therapies, according to a press release from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The trial is an open-label study, meaning…
December 20, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Discovery of Brain-membrane Immune Cell May Advance MS Treatment Work The discovery of a new type of immune cell in the membranes covering the brain is likely to advance understanding of the immune system’s impact on the brain, a study says. It could also lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers knew the immune…