MS news notes: DMT survey, keto diet, Gilenya generic

Welcome to “MS News Notes,” a column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Here’s a look at what’s been happening:

Neurologists comment on DMTs available for RRMS

There are 20 disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available to treat MS in the U.S. According to the MS News Today story “US neurologists satisfied with current RRMS therapies: Report,” a survey of 102 neurologists in the U.S. rates Kesimpta (ofatumumab), Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), and Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) among best DMTs to minimize relapses and disease progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

All of these medications target B-cells that carry a CD20 receptor and are considered to be highly effective. Any new DMT entering the treatment pipeline would have to be “equally effective as these anti-CD20 therapies to be accepted and prescribed,” the story reports. The method of administration may also play a role in DMT choice.

In my many years of living with MS, I’ve been treated with a DMT injection, a pill, and infusions, all with varying levels of efficacy. I subscribe to the hit-it-fast, hit-it-hard philosophy of MS treatment, as long as that treatment is compatible with a patient’s lifestyle and risk acceptability. It sounds as if these neurologists are in line with that approach.

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July 27, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD

Three MS therapies listed as WHO essential medicines

Keto diet and MS

My wife has followed a ketogenic diet to lose weight, and it’s worked well for her. The story “Benefits of ketogenic diet in RRMS may be long lasting: Study” reports how the keto diet could be useful to people with MS.

The keto diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. When followed for six months, the story says, it “significantly reduced measures of body fat and fatigue, eased disease symptoms, and improved exercise capacity, cognition, and arm and hand dexterity in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.” But it can be hard to follow a keto diet for an extended period — just ask my wife. Only 58% of the people in this study did so after the study ended.

Have you tried a keto diet? How did it go? Please let us know in the comments below.

Gilenya generic reported to be safe and effective

When I’m prescribed a generic medication, I always have a nagging question: Is it as safe and effective as the brand-name drug?

“Gilenya generic safe and effective, adherence good: Real-world study” reports on the experiences of 239 people who were prescribed a generic version of oral Gilenya (fingolimod) in Turkey. The results were positive, though the researchers cautioned that “long-term post-marketing real-life data are necessary to maintain confidence” in generic MS treatments.

This confidence in generics is important. My primary care physician has some concerns about the efficacy of generic medications. Although I use some generics, my nagging questions about them haven’t been erased by this study, although the results do seem positive for now.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.