News

Mitoxantrone, a Drug for Progressive and Severe Relapsing MS, Linked to Colorectal Cancer Risk

Mitoxantrone,  a multiple sclerosis (MS)  drug that is already associated with a higher risk for leukemia and heart damage, may also raise a person’s risk of colorectal cancer, researchers at the University of Würzburg, in Germany, reported. If confirmed in larger studies, the findings indicate that colonoscopies should be conducted on MS patients after…

#CMSC16 – Dr. Ellen Mowry, in Interview, Talks of Clinical Studies into Vitamin D and MS

With an interest multiple sclerosis (MS) before even starting college, Dr. Ellen Mowry has spent her entire research career investigating the disease. Her epidemiological studies led her to indications that vitamin D might be particularly important for people with MS, and she now dedicates her research to the topic — knowledge she will share at the…

Dimethyl Fumarate, a Common MS Drug, Found to Work Independently of Nrf2 Pathway

A commonly prescribed multiple sclerosis (MS) medication may act to modulate the immune system. The finding is described in the article “Dimethyl fumarate treatment induces adaptive and innate immune modulation independent of Nrf2,“ published in  the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. MS develops due to an…

National MS Society Honors LyondellBasell with ‘Circle of Distinction Award’ for Raising $1.4M

LyondellBasell, an established name in the plastics, chemical and refining industry, has been honored with the Circle of Distinction Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for raising $1.4 million to benefit the society and the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Since 1998, the company has participated in the MS Society’s annual fundraiser in…

Fluorosamine Seen to Boost Remyelination in MS Mouse Model by Blocking Scarring Molecules

A substance called fluorosamine was seen to boost remyelination in mice by preventing the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and by promoting oligodendrocyte function. The findings showed that targeting molecules that block remyelination may be a promising therapeutic approach in multiple sclerosis (MS). Upregulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans — large molecules…

Severe Rebound Effects Found in ‘Relevant’ Number of MS Patients After Stopping Fingolimod

Rebound symptoms after stopping fingolimod (Gilenya) treatment affect a “clinically relevant” number of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, a study by University of California, San Francisco, researchers reported. The study called attention to the need for determining the best method of sequencing or stopping MS treatments, and highlighted the need to identify factors…

New Phase 2 Trial of a B-cell Antibody, TG-1101, to Treat Relapsing MS Getting Underway

TG Therapeutics recently announced the opening of a new clinical trial evaluating TG-1101, its glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The Phase 2 clinical trial, titled “A Placebo-Controlled Multi-Center Phase 2 Dose Finding Study of Ublituximab, a Third-Generation Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients…

Opexa’s CEO Gives Update on T-Cell Therapy at Vatican Conference

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., announced that its president and chief executive officer, Neil K. Warma, recently gave a presentation on immunotherapy and its potential for treating autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, at the recent Cellular Horizons: The Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and its Cultural Impact held at the Vatican. Neil…

European Program Aims to Develop Wearable Devices to Monitor and Treat MS

A major new European research program to develop ways of monitoring three main central nervous system diseases —multiple sclerosis (MS), depressive disorder, and epilepsy — using wearable devices and smartphones was launched on April 26. The RADAR-CNS (Remote assessment of disease and relapse Central Nervous System) project, supported by the Innovative…

$185M Gift to UCSF Will Support New Neurosciences Institute

A gift worth $185 million from Joan and Sanford I. Weill to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) will allow the university to expand its neurosciences programs and facilities, advancing its research work into psychiatric, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The gift, the largest single donation in UCSF history, is…

Measures of Subtle Movements While Standing Detects Neurologic Problems in MS Patients and Athletes with Concussions

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method of identifying subtle oscillations in a person’s posture that mirror an excessive delay in neuromuscular responses, indicating a neurologic deficit. The oscillations, which differ from the normal tendency of a standing person to sway, may aid in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Gut Bacteria Affects Myelin Content and Induces MS-Like Depression in Mice, Study Reports

Researchers at the Center of Excellence for Myelin Repair, a part of Mount Sinai, reported that gut bacteria produce compounds that were seen to affect the myelin content in mice and cause social avoidance behaviors. Study results indicated that targeting gut bacteria, or the gut metabolites, might help in treating neuropsychiatric disorders or complications, such as those…

MedDay’s MD1003, a Biotin, Shows ‘Remarkable’ Efficacy in Treating Inactive but Progressive MS in Clinical Trials

MedDay recently disclosed full study results from the MS-SPI and MS-ON Phase 2b/3 trials of its therapeutic candidate MD1003 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Specifically, the trials included people with “not active” progressive MS and those with either relapsing or progressive MS and visual loss, respectively. Data, presented at the recent American…