August 29, 2016 Columns by admin MS Patientās Pick of the Weekās News: Umbilical Cells, Early Drugs, REAL Research, Hemoglobin, and Fatigue Hereās my Pick of the Weekās News, as published by Multiple Sclerosis News Today. Umbilical Cord Blood-derived Cell Therapy Promotes Remyelination in Mice Now this is different, using umbilical cord stem cells. A cell therapy product derived from human umbilical cord blood cells may be…
August 29, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Lemtrada to Treat Relapsing MS Now Part of New Brunswick, Canada, Drug Program The Government ofĀ New Brunswick added Ā Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), byĀ Sanofi Genzyme,Ā to the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program (NBPDP) through special authorization for eligibleĀ patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). New BrunswickĀ joins other Canadian provinces, includingĀ Ontario, Saskatchewan,Ā Quebec, and Manitoba, in making this treatment available to RRMS patients, ages 18 andĀ older,Ā who have had…
August 29, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Gilenya-like Therapy Shows Benefit in Secondary Progressive MS Patients in Phase 3 Trial Patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) who were treated with BAF312 (siponimod), a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) inhibitor, in a Phase 3 clinical trial showed aĀ Ā significantly reduced risk for disability progression compared to placebo,Ā NovartisĀ recently announced. BAF312 is a selective modulator of specific types of the S1P receptor. This receptor is…
August 26, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD 900 Cyclists to Raise Money for MS in Biking Event in Quebec This Weekend The Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MSSC)Ā announced that this year’sĀ 27th Medavie Blue Cross MS Bike, a fundraising bike ride on roads alongside St. Lawrence River, will take place Aug. 27 and 28Ā in the Mauricie region. A total of 900 cyclists are setĀ toĀ participate in…
August 26, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Can Diet Ease MS Fatigue? Clinical Trial, Now Recruiting, Wants to Find Out The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ announced that itĀ has dedicatedĀ more than $1 millionĀ to support a clinical study at the University of Iowa that will compareĀ two types ofĀ diet and their effectiveness in easing fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). “The National MS Society is committed to identifying wellness solutions to…
August 25, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Teva’s New Copaxone Formulation for RRMS Approved by Health Canada Health Canada has approved Teva Canada Innovation‘sĀ three-time weekly 40 mg/mL injection of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) that allows less frequent dosing forĀ patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The approval wasĀ grounded primarily on data resulting from the Phase 3 Glatiramer Acetate Low-Frequency Administration (GALA) study, the largest Copaxone clinical…
August 25, 2016 News by Charles Moore Patient-led Study, REAL MS, Invites Adults to Help Advance and Direct MS Research An innovation in multiple sclerosis (MS) research has been launched byĀ the iConquerMSĀ initiative ā a longitudinal, prospective study called “REAL MS,” an acronym for “Research Engagement About Life with Multiple Sclerosis,” with aĀ goal of accelerating research into personalized treatments for MS patients. This type of study collects repeat…
August 25, 2016 News by Ćzge Ćzkaya, PhD Hemoglobin Variant A2 May Protect MS Patients Against Neural Injury Multiple sclerosis seems to be less severe in people with higher levels of the minor adult hemoglobin variant A2 (HbA2) in their blood, according to a team of Turkish researchers. This could be due to this variant having a higher protective effect on the red blood cell membrane. The authors speculate that HbA2 could therefore be playing a role in reducing long-term neural injury in MS.
August 24, 2016 News by admin RebiSmart Device Seen to Improve Adherence to Therapy in RRMS Patients People with relapsing multiple sclerosis who use a device called RebiSmartĀ (Merck Serono) to self-inject medications like RebifĀ (interferon [IFN] beta-1a)Ā areĀ more likely to take their therapies on a regular schedule and adhere to that schedule, resulting in fewerĀ relapsesĀ than those not using the device, according to a retrospective study byĀ researchers…
August 23, 2016 News by Judy Lynn MS Hugs Me, Hugs Me Not In the two years following my diagnosis, I had many bouts of chest pain, breathing difficulties, and sharp stomach pains. I worried that some other terrible illness was right around the corner. Four EKGs, three ultrasounds, two pulmonary function tests, and one colonoscopy later I had a surprisingly good bill…
August 23, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Video Series Helps to Guide MS Patients in US with Legal and Planning Issues A new video series for multiple sclerosis patients in the U.S. looks to help them better understand the complex legal and planning issues they face. The series, put together by theĀ National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)Ā andĀ Stetson University College of Law,Ā in consultation withĀ theĀ National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is…
August 23, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Only 47% of Primary Care Doctors in England ‘Confident’ in Treating MS Patients General practitioners (GPs) in England lack confidence in initially assessing and referring onward people withĀ neurologicalĀ symptoms, especially those with multiple sclerosis, and believe they could benefit from betterĀ training in identifying and managing neurologicalĀ patients. One result, according toĀ a report published by theĀ Neurological Alliance,Ā titled “Neurology and primary care: improving the…
August 22, 2016 Columns by admin MS Patient’s Pick of the Week’s News: Blood Tests, Marijuana, Cameras, and More Hereās my Pick of the Weekās News, as published in Multiple SclerosisĀ News Today. Blood Test Seen to Distinguish MS from Other Neurological Conditions A faster way to tell the difference between neurological diseases could mean earlier access to treatment for MS patients. Researchers atĀ Michigan State…
August 22, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD A&W Hosts ‘Burgers to Beat MS’ Fundraiser on Aug. 25 Across Canada A&W Food Services of CanadaĀ is celebrating its āBurgers to Beat MSāĀ dayĀ onĀ Thursday, Aug. 25, and for an 8th yearĀ will donate $1 for each Teen Burger sold at any of its 860 restaurants nationwideĀ to theĀ Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MSSC). Through such campaigns, A&WĀ hasĀ Ā raised over $8 million since 2009…
August 22, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Umbilical Cord Blood-derived Cell Therapy Promotes Remyelination in Mice A cell therapy product derived from human umbilical cord blood cells may be a promising treatment approach for patients with demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or leukodystrophy, according to a recent study developed at theĀ Duke University Medical Center. The study, “A cord blood monocyteāderived cell…
August 19, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Blood Test Seen to Distinguish MS from Other Neurological Conditions Researchers at Michigan State University suggest that a blood test can distinguish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from people with other neurological conditions, according to a recent study published inĀ EBioMedicine. ResultsĀ from the study,Ā “An In Vitro Diagnostic for Multiple Sclerosis Based on C-peptide Binding to Erythrocytes,”…
August 19, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD MS Progression Slower in People Who Begin Betaseron Therapy at First Signs of Disease, 11-Year Study Says Relapsing multiple sclerosis patients who begin taking Betaferon/Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) immediately after the first MS-related neurologic symptoms appear mayĀ realize slower disease progression thanĀ those who delay treatment, according to aĀ study evaluating the therapy’sĀ effects over a decade in patients enrolledĀ inĀ aĀ Phase 3 clinical trial. The study, “The 11-year long-term follow-up…
August 18, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD What to Ask Before Participating in a Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trial There are several key questionsĀ that a participant willĀ wantĀ answeredĀ before enrolling in aĀ clinical trial. ManyĀ are listed here, but patients should feel free to ask study coordinators any additional questions they may have so their concerns are well addressed before the trial starts. It is important for a study participant to learn as…
August 18, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Specific Definition of Fatigue in MS Proposed as Way to Advance Research into Symptom Researchers from Colorado State University propose a new model of fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS), designed to overcome the lack of a unified definition of fatigue that can be objectively tested using experimental approaches. With this model, the authors behind the article,Ā “Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: Misconceptions…
August 18, 2016 News by Ćzge Ćzkaya, PhD Advances in MS Research and Treatment Focus of ECTRIMS 2016, Opening in September The 37th annual congress of The European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) will take place in London between 14 ā 17 September 2016.
August 17, 2016 News by Charles Moore Kinect’s 3-D Gaming Camera Can Help Assess Gait Problems in MS Patients, Study Reports According to new research out of McGill University in Montreal,Ā Microsoft Kinect, a 3-D depth and motion sensing input device for use with the company’s Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles and Windows PCs, could be a cheap, effective, and easy-to-use tool to evaluateĀ walking gait difficulties in peopleĀ with multiple…
August 17, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Zinbryta, a Relapsing MS Therapy, Now Available at Diplomat Pharmacy in US Diplomat Pharmacy, theĀ largest independent specialty pharmacy in the U.S., is nowĀ dispensing the limited-distribution drug Zinbryta (daclizumab) as a therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). ZinbrytaĀ was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing MS.
August 16, 2016 News by Charles Moore Earth Life Sciences Acquiring Maker of Medicinal Cannabis Oil Treatments for MS Earth Life SciencesĀ (ELS), aĀ venture capital and management firm based in Quebec, announced that it is partnering with a cannabis oil-based nutraceutical company, with an agreement in place to acquire that company and establish a new division. The resulting entity will beĀ an organic medical marijuana oils (CBD) producer that willĀ develop products…
August 16, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MSAA Opens New Online Community Forum for MS Patients, Caregivers The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA)Ā recently announced the official launch of My MSAA Community, a free online community forum supporting people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and their caregivers and family members, and offering a way for patients to connect with others facingĀ the same challenges. MSAA is…
August 15, 2016 News by admin MS Patientās Pick of the Weekās News: Aggressive Therapies, Early MRIs, Tysabri and More Hereās my Pick of the Weekās News, as published by Multiple Sclerosis News Today. Best First-Line Treatment for Aggressive MS May Be Equally Aggressive Immunotherapies Sounds like “Fight fire with fire” to me; could be just what is needed. Patients with aggressive onset multiple sclerosis, characterized…
August 15, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD New Pre-HSCT Treatment May Make Stem Cell Transplants a Safer Option for MS Patients Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a method for stem cell transplants that may doĀ away with the need for prior systematic treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If successful, stem cell transplants could be an option for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), an option nowĀ limited by the…
August 15, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Treating MS Soon After Symptoms Appear Can Delay Relapses, Study Says A long-term study underscoresĀ the potentialĀ benefits, especially in terms of relapses,Ā ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) patients beginning treatment as soon as possible after symptomsĀ appear ā even before the disease is definitely diagnosed.Ā āThe 11-year long-term follow-up study from the randomized BENEFIT CIS trialā was published in the journal Neurology. Researchers in…
August 12, 2016 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Researchers Reveal Mechanism of Action for Tecfidera, an MS Therapy Researchers found the molecular target of the multiple sclerosis (MS)-approved drug Tecfidera, (dimethyl fumarate or DMF), unveiling the mechanism associated with the drug’s anti-inflammatory action. The study, āDimethyl fumarate blocks pro-inflammatory cytokine production via inhibition of TLR induced M1 and K63 ubiquitin chain formation,ā was…
August 12, 2016 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Pilot Study Finds Fatigue, Mood in MS Patients Improved by Low-Fat, Plant-Based Diet Though approved therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) exist,Ā the disabling disease remains currently incurable leading to greater interestĀ for promoting healthier lifestyles that could ease or slow disease impacts such asĀ hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease which increase progression of disability, brain injury, and atrophy. In fact,…
August 11, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Improving Confidence of RRMS Patients May Enhance Quality of Life, Decrease Depression, Study Finds Increasing a person’s confidence that they can complete tasks and reach goals in specific situations may benefit patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In a new study, researchers used an intensive three-day social cognitive treatment, called Can Do, to increaseĀ patients’ self-efficacy, which resulted in long lasting improvements in their health-related…