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 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 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…
October 12, 2016 News by Alexandra Andersson, PhD Potential Therapy, Laquinimod, Shows Promise as Progressive MS Treatment in Mouse Study The experimental therapyĀ laquinimodĀ was seen to prevent the start of harmful immune responses and to disrupt the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a mouse model of the disease. This finding may be especially promising, as the treatment is being developed for people with both relapsing MS and its rarer progressive…
September 14, 2016 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD #ECTRIMS2016 – Benefits of Gilenya in MS Also Appear Linked to Its Effects on B-Cells Scientists recently reported additional mechanisms of action that may underlieĀ Gilenya (fingolimod) beneficial effects in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The results were in an oral presentation, āFingolimod therapy modulates B cell functions: reduces CXCR4-mediated migration and increases B cell -mediated anti-inflammatory cytokine profile,ā given atĀ theĀ 32nd Congress of theĀ European Committee for Treatment…
July 21, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Study of Potential Therapy for Relapsing MS That Targets B-Cells Now Recruiting Patients in US Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā are being recruited forĀ aĀ clinical trial evaluatingĀ an experimental monoclonal antibody called ublituximab, the National MS Society announced in a recentĀ newsĀ release. The study, being conducted at seven U.S. sites, will enroll at least 24 patients, but this number can go up to 100. MSĀ is considered to be…
May 17, 2016 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Study of Immune System Response to Viral Infection Revives Possibility of Link Between MS and Viruses Researchers investigatingĀ immune B-cell response to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) found that it may correlate with the amount of brain-specific B-cells in the blood ā a marker of multiple sclerosis (MS) ā and with higher disease activity. The findings were published in the journalĀ Viruses, in…
April 11, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Natalizumab (Tysabri) Targets Molecule Crucial for Type of B-Cell to Accumulate in the Brain Mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), were found to have milder symptoms if the target of natalizumab (Tysabri) ā VLA4 ā was absent on B-cells, preventing regulatory cells that might control immune processes from entering the brain. B-cells are increasingly thought to play…
March 21, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD CONy16: Pros and Cons of MS Drugs Targeting Immune Cells Other Than B-cells Debated Clinical trials have shown that ocrelizumabĀ ā an antibody targeting B-cells ā is effective in multiple sclerosis (MS). As a result, some researchers and clinicians claim that B-cell depletion is a sufficient therapy in MS, and that drugs targeting other immune cells are obsolete. Not everyone agrees. A debate at…
March 21, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD CONy16: Sanofi Genzyme Symposium on MS Therapies Targeting T and B Cells; Exclusive Interview with Lead Researcher Sanofi Genzyme,Ā one of the companies participatingĀ in the four-dayĀ 10th World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy) in Lisbon, Portugal, that concludedĀ on March 20, 2016, supported several symposiums focused on multiple sclerosis (MS) ā including one on B-cell and T-cell therapies. For over a decade, Sanofi Genzyme has workedĀ to developĀ effective therapies…
December 1, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National Multiple Sclerosis Society Awards Wisconsin Researcher With Grant To Fuel Promising Study The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ awarded a $700,000 research grant to Dr. Bonnie Dittel, a senior investigator at the BloodCenter of Wisconsin (BCW) and adjunct professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The grant will help Dr. Dittel advance her research into how specific immune cells in the body can…
October 20, 2015 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Generic Form of Glatiramer Acetate Has Equivalent Gene Expression Profile as Teva’s Copaxone In a recent study entitled āEquivalent Gene Expression Profiles between Glatopaā¢ and CopaxoneĀ®,ā authors determined potential differences in treatment responses by investigating the gene expression profile of two approved treatments for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis ā Copaxone and Glatopa. Both of these MS therapies are glatiramer…
September 24, 2015 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Brain-specific B Cells’ Reactivity Determines Glatiramer Acetate Therapy Success in MS Patients In a new study entitled āThe brain antigen-specific B cell response correlates with glatiramer acetate responsiveness in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients,āĀ a team of scientists discovered that differences in response toĀ glatiramer acetate therapy among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is potentially dependent on the presence of reactive brain-specific B…
May 5, 2014 by Maureen Newman Targeting B-cell Activity May Reduce MS Brain Lesions, According To GlaxoSmithKline-Backed Study New research work from GlaxoSmithKline presented by Daren Ausin, PhD, at the American Academy of Neurology’s 66th Annual Meeting has implications for individuals with relapsinig-remitting multiple sclerosis. The presentation detailed a study that used GlaxoSmithKline’s ofatumumab in 231 patients with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. Ofatumumab is an anti-B-cell antibody, and it…