News

Colorado Neurological Institute to Host ‘Spotlight on Hope’ Gala and Fundraiser on April 15

The Colorado Neurological Institute (CNI), a non-profit research and neurological care organization, will host the “Spotlight on Hope” gala and fundraising event on April 15, celebrating CNI patients, community leaders and physicians. The inaugural event, which combines the group’s Hope Awards and Gala, is part of CNI’s outreach efforts to advance public understanding of brain cancer, attacks like…

New Clinical Trial Data on Experimental MS Therapeutic Vaccine, Xemys, Released

PJSC Pharmsynthez, a pharmaceutical company based in Russia, recently announced completed follow-up findings and data analysis from a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial of its novel therapeutic vaccine Xemys for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Xemys utilizes Xenetic Biosciences patented ImuXen technology. In the open-label, dose-escalating trial, 20 patients…

Fingolimod (Gilenya) Shown to Benefit Neurons as Well as Immune System

The immune system-suppressing multiple sclerosis (MS) drug fingolimod (Gilenya) also has potentially beneficial effects on the nervous system, according to a recent study, “The multiple sclerosis drug fingolimod (FTY720) stimulates neuronal gene expression, axonal growth and regeneration.“  The article appeared online March 12 in an early version of the journal …

Experimental MS Oral Antibiotic Combination Therapy Showing Promise in Phase 2a Study, RedHill Biopharma Reports

RedHill Biopharma, Ltd. recently announced promising interim results from its ongoing CEASE-MS Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a fixed dose of RHB-104 as an add-on therapy for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). RHB-104 consists of an oral capsule formulation of an antibiotic combination therapy —…

Potential Progressive MS Treatment, Ibudilast, Approved for Fast Track Development by FDA

MediciNova, Inc., announced that MN-166 (ibudilast) has been approved for “fast track” development by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a potential treatment for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Progressive MS includes both the primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive (SPMS) forms of the disease. MediciNova’s MN-166 was licensed from Kyorin Pharmaceuticals for its potential…

High Lactate Levels in MS Patients Tied to Disease Progression, Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Scientists in recent years have wondered whether a link exists between high lactate levels resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction and multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Now researchers in Italy showed that lactate, a metabolic byproduct, is indeed increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients and may be a disease driver. Mitochondria are the body’s energy factories,…

CONy16: Should RRMS Disease-Modifying Drugs Be Used to Treat Secondary Progressive MS?

A major dilemma facing clinicians is whether to continue treatment with disease-modifying drugs, effective in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), as the disease progresses to secondary progressive MS (SPMS). In SPMS,  these treatments seem to lose their benefits and — as they are often associated with severe side effects and high costs — clinicians…

CONy16: Sanofi Genzyme Symposium on MS Therapies Targeting T and B Cells; Exclusive Interview with Lead Researcher

Sanofi Genzyme, one of the companies participating in the four-day 10th World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy) in Lisbon, Portugal, that concluded on March 20, 2016, supported several symposiums focused on multiple sclerosis (MS) — including one on B-cell and T-cell therapies. For over a decade, Sanofi Genzyme has worked to develop effective therapies…

CONy16: Debate Weighs MS Therapy Risks of Infections Like PML in Terms of Benefits Offered

Certain therapies used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) have been associated with opportunistic infections of the central nervous system, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but often fatal brain disorder caused by the John Cunningham (JC) virus. The question of whether the risk for opportunistic infections to MS patients outweighs…