June 8, 2020 News by David Melamed, PhD Andrographolide Shows Promising Results for Non-active PMS Patients in Trial Andrographolide, an herbal compound with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, is able to slow brain atrophy and progression of disability in people with non-active progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS), according to results from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The study, “Efficacy of andrographolide in not active progressive…
May 14, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Progressive MS Linked to Faster Retinal Atrophy, Study Shows People with progressive forms of multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) have faster and disease-modifying therapy (DMT)-resistant retinal atrophy (thinning), compared to those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), a study shows. Data also highlighted that the thickness of deeper layers of the retina could be used as potential biomarkers of neurodegeneration in…
April 7, 2020 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Atara Pauses Enrollment in Part 2 of Immunotherapy Trial in PPMS and SPMS InĀ response to theĀ COVID-19 pandemic, Atara Biotherapeutics has temporarily paused patient enrollment in the second and randomized part of its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial investigating ATA188 in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). People treated in the first, open-label part of this trial, however,…
March 31, 2020 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Bile Acid Supplements May Ease Symptoms of Progressive MS Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have lower than usual levels of molecules called bile acidsĀ circulating in their blood, a Ā study found. These molecules, produced in the liver to aid fat absorption in the gut, also appear to block inflammation and nerve cell damage in the brain. Oral treatment withĀ …
February 28, 2020 News by Ana Pena PhD #ACTRIMS2020 – Pregnancies and Menopause Affect Age of Progressive MS Onset Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have never given birth and those who began menopause prematurely tend to develop progressive forms of the disease earlier, a study from theĀ Mayo ClinicĀ suggests. These findings were presented at the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum…
December 18, 2019 News by Mary Chapman BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Wins 2020 āBuzz of BIOā Award For its promising investigational therapeutic approach to neurodegenerative diseases, including progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is theĀ Buzz of BIO 2020 winnerĀ in the Public Therapeutic Biotech category. The Buzz of BIO contest identifies U.S. companies with groundbreaking, early-stage potential to improve lives. The…
December 10, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD Astrocytes in Brain Seen as Possible Trigger of Progressive MS via Processes of Metabolism Processes related to metabolism in brain cells known as astrocytes may be at the origin of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly underlying the inflammation and damage to the nervous system seen in progressive disease, a study in mice found.
December 2, 2019 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc Mount Sinai Taking Part in Phase 2 Trial of NurOwn Cell Therapy in Progressive MS Mount Sinai Medical Center has joined withĀ BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics to explore the safety and efficacy of NurOwn as a potential treatment for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in an ongoing Phase 2 trial. The New York center is the fourth clinical site participating in the trial, in addition…
November 19, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc NMSS Awards $495K to Study Biomarkers in Phase 2 Trial of NurOwn in Progressive MS BrainStorm Cell TherapeuticsĀ received a $495,330 grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) SocietyĀ to support biomarker studies in its ongoing clinical trial testing the cell therapyĀ NurOwn in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). NurOwn is a treatment based on the patientsā own bone marrow-derivedĀ mesenchymal stem…
September 19, 2019 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD #ECTRIMS2019 – Cell Immunotherapy ATA188 Showing Safety, Hints of Effectiveness in Progressive MS in Phase 1 Trial People with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and past exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus are responding to a potentialĀ immunotherapy known as ATA188, tolerating the treatment well and with signs that suggest effectiveness, early updated data from an ongoing Phase 1 trial show. The research, ā…
September 16, 2019 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD #ECTRIMS2019 ā Glia Score May Differentiate Progressive MS from RRMS, Study Suggests Patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) have higher levels of protein markers of activated glial cells than those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or patients with other neurological disorders, according to a new study. The findings also indicated that scoring the extent of glial involvement in relation to nerve…
September 13, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD #ECTRIMS2019 – Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplants Safe and Help Stop Progressive MS, Trial Data Show Transplanting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is safe and can delay disease progression in people with active, progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), according to results from a single-center clinical trial conducted in Israel. Six months after the transplant, a considerable proportion of patients showed no signs of disease activity, compared to…
July 31, 2019 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Surgery with Anesthesia Does Not Raise Person’s Risk of MS Relapse, Study Finds No excessive relapse risk appears to exist for people with multiple sclerosisĀ who undergo surgery that requires anesthesia, researchers report, challenging long-held assumptions associated with MS and surgery. Their single-site study, āMultiple sclerosis relapse risk in the postoperative period: Effects of…
July 24, 2019 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Standing Frame Exercises Aid Lower Limbs of Progressive MS Patients, UK Study Says People whose advanced progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) limits their mobility can strengthen their lower limbs and improve life quality by engaging in regular standing exercises in their homes, a U.K. study into physiotherapy programs for this patient group reports. The study,Ā “Assessment…
July 18, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD Specific Lipids in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Progressive MS Patients Rob Neurons of Energy, Study Finds The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) contains elevated levels of specific fatty molecules that disrupt the energy “powerhouses” of nerve cells, and appear to underlie the neurodegeneration seen on brain scans of these patients, a study reveals. The research, which compared the CSF…
July 12, 2019 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Phase 2 Trial Testing NurOwn Therapy for Progressive MS Adds Third Clinical Site The Phase 2 clinical trial testing BrainStorm Cell Therapeuticās investigationalĀ NurOwnĀ therapy for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) has added a third clinical site, the company announced. The trial (NCT03799718) now will enroll patients at the Keck School of MedicineĀ ofĀ The University of Southern California (USC), and its academic…
June 27, 2019 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Progressive MS Patients Have Difficulties Perceiving Thoughts, Intentions of Others, Study Reveals Patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) have difficulties perceiving the thoughts and intentions, but not the emotions, of other individuals, Kessler Foundation researchers have found. Those findings were reported in a study, “Cognitive but Not Affective Theory of Mind Deficits in Progressive MS,” that was published in…
May 23, 2019 News by Alberto Molano, PhD Early Safety Data from Phase 1 Study of Immunotherapy in Progressive MS Patients To Be Detailed at EAN Early, positive safety results from a Phase 1 trial testing a potential immunotherapy,Ā ATA188, in people with progressive multiple sclerosisĀ will be detailed at the 5th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) late next month, its developer, Atara Biotherapeutics, announced. ATA188 is an investigational and “off-the-shelf”…
March 18, 2019 News by Jonathan Grinstein Progressive MS Phase 2 Trial of NurOwn Stem Cell Therapy Enrolls 1st Patient The first patient has been enrolled in a Phase 2 multicenter clinical trial testing the use of NurOwn cellular therapy to treat progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced. The open-label trialĀ (NCT03799718), titled Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Administration ofĀ neuronĀ (MSC-NTF Cells) nin Participants…
March 13, 2019 News by Santiago Gisler Phase 2 Trial Will Assess Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy to Treat Progressive Forms of MS The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ is funding a new Phase 2 clinical trial to test the effectiveness of stem cell therapy on individuals with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), using mesenchymal stem cells from their own bone marrow. The ability of stem cells to both self-renew and create…
March 4, 2019 News by BioNews Staff #ACTRIMS2019 ā Jeffrey Cohen, MD, is New President of ACTRIMS Jeffrey Cohen, MD, director of the experimental therapeutics program at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and ResearchĀ at the Cleveland Clinic, is the newly named Ā president of ACTRIMS, the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. Cohen’s appointment concluded the 2019 ACTRIMS ForumĀ that ran…
February 28, 2019 Columns by Laura Kolaczkowski Breaking Down the Silos in the MS Community In the research world, references to breaking down silos abound, and weāre not talking about those found on the farm. These figurative silos are where information is contained and not shared outside of a particular area. Researchers work within their own organization, rarely sharing their work with others doing…
February 26, 2019 News by Santiago Gisler Cleveland Clinic Chosen for Phase 2 Trial Testing NurOwn Stem Cell Therapy in Progressive MS Patients BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced theĀ Cleveland ClinicĀ is the first clinical site contracted in the United States for the Phase 2 multi-center study evaluating the companyās NurOwn mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in individuals with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). āWe are very excited to announce The Mellen Center for…
February 19, 2019 News by Santiago Gisler Participants Sought for Clinical Trial Studying Effects of Lipoic Acid on Progressive MS A clinical trial to test the effects of antioxidant treatment with lipoic acid on progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) is recruitingĀ 118 participants at seven sites in North America. The study sites include: Birmingham, Alabama; Burlington, Vermont; Ā Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; Washington, D.C., and;…
January 21, 2019 News by Jonathan Grinstein Fatigue More Common in Progressive MS Patients, Survey Shows Fatigue is more prevalent among patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study that surveyed patients on fatigue and factors related to it. In addition, increased fatigue severity correlated with greater physical, cognitive, and psychological impairment, although the strength of this link was largely the same…
November 21, 2018 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc Phase 2 Trial of NurOwn Stem Cell Therapy in Progressive MS Planned for US, BrainStorm Announces BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is planning to launch a Phase 2 clinical trial in the United States to evaluate the safety and activity of its lead cell therapy candidate,Ā NurOwn, in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The company announced that has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to…
November 14, 2018 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Phase 3 Trial of MD1003 in Treating Progressive MS Fully Enrolled, MedDay Announces A Phase 3 clinical trial intending to confirm the potential ofĀ MD1003, a high-dose biotin, in treating progressive multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) patients is completely enrolled, MedDay Pharmaceuticals, the investigational therapy’s developer, announced. The randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study (NCT02936037), called SPI2, follows the previous Phase 3 trial (NCT02220933),…
September 18, 2018 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Ibudilast Slows Brain Shrinkage 48% in Progressive MS Patients in Phase 2 Trial; Lead Researcher Says Finding is ‘Remarkable’ Progressive multiple sclerosis patients ā with primary or secondary progressive disease ā treated with high doses of oralĀ ibudilastĀ in a Phase 2 clinical trial showed a 48 percent slowing in the progression of brain atrophy, or shrinkage, relative to those given a placebo, study data show. What this…
September 18, 2018 News by Ashraf Malhas, PhD Grant Awarded to Research New Method to Treat Cognitive Dysfunction in Progressive MS The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and the Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation have awarded a $410,000 grant to fund research based on a new method for treating cognitive dysfunction in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). About 70% of progressive MS patients suffer from cognitive abnormalities that…
August 31, 2018 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Cell-free Mitochondrial DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Progressive MS Patients May Point to Neurodegeneration Cerebrospinal fluid of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients may carry lower levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA, according to a team of researchers who say this may be a sign ofĀ neurodegeneration among these patients. The study āCell-free mitochondrial DNA in progressive multiple sclerosisā was published in the journal Mitochondrion.