steroids

Younger Age, DMT Use at Early Relapse May Lessen Later Disability

People with Ā multiple sclerosis (MS) who are usingĀ a disease-modifying therapyĀ ā€” and are at a younger age ā€” when they have a relapse within the first three years of their disease course are more likely to recover completely, lowering their risk of long-term, 10-year disability, a study suggests. Complete recovery…

MetP Pharma Awarded US Patent for Potential Remyelination Therapy

MetP Pharma‘s patent application for a new method to treat demyelinating and neuroinflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), has been approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent, titled ā€œTreatment of Demyelinating Diseasesā€ (U.S. Appl. No. 16/506,830), is valid until 2039,…

Trial to Evaluate H.P. Acthar Gel Is Enrolling Patients with Relapsing-remitting MS

Mallinckrodt PharmaceuticalsĀ is seeking 66 participants for a clinical trial to determine the safety and effectiveness of its injected therapyĀ H.P. Acthar GelĀ as a treatment for acute relapses in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). MS relapses are flare-ups of central nervous system inflammation that damage the myelin coating that protects nerve cells. The damage disrupts the transmission of impulses between the cells, causing spikes in MS symptoms. For severe relapses that interfere with a personā€™s mobility, safety or ability to function, most neurologists recommend corticosteroid treatment administered intravenously or taken orally. Steroids can also be administered by injection of a gel under the skin. H.P. Acthar Gel is designed to provide extended release of steroids in the body. The trial will evaluate whether the gel is an effective treatment for RRMS patients who have been unable to recover from a relapse after receiving high-dose intravenous or oral steroids. Researchers will randomly assign participants to receive either H.P. Acthar Gel or a placebo, delivered by injection once a day for 14 days. Follow-up visits will be required at 14, 28 and 42 days. The study's main objective will be seeing whether patients' disability improves. Researchers will use a standard tool for measuring disability known as the Expanded Disability Status Scale.Ā  Other objectives will include seeing how the therapy affects patients' fatigue, quality of life, workplace productivity, and use of healthcare resources. Participants must have a confirmed diagnosis of RRMS, be older than 18 years of age, and have experienced a relapse within 29 days of enrolling in the trial. For more information about enrollment criteria and how to participate in the trial, please contact Valerie Carvajal at (800) 556-3314 or by emailĀ atĀ [email protected]. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society announced in an MS trial alertĀ that Mallinckrodt will be Ā enrolling participants in Tucson; Fort Collins, Colo.; Tampa; Atlanta; Savannah, Ga.; Northbrook, Ill.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Kan.; New York; Cleveland; Dayton, Ohio; Dallas; Round Rock, Texas; San Antonio; Salt Lake City; Richmond, Va.; and Tacoma, Wash. Without clinical trial participation there is no way for patients to obtain new medicines or for scientists to ultimately find a cure for MS. The National MS Society encourages participation. It has developed a guide for patients who want to take part in studies called ā€œParticipating in Clinical Trials.ā€ It covers the basics of participation, benefits versus risks, patient protection, costs and other important issues about trials. Ā 

#MSParis2017 – MOG-associated Demyelination Can Be Treated with Steroids, but Maintenance Is Required

People with aĀ demyelinating disease associated withĀ antibodies against a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), most often develop episodes of optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) that can be treated with corticosteroids, according to data presented today at theĀ 7th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS MeetingĀ from Oct. 25-28 in Paris. MOG antibody-associated demyelination is a…

My MS Is Getting to Be a Pain, Literally

For most of the 36 years since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I’ve not been bothered by pain. Just lucky, I guess. Until last month. Suddenly, I’ve developed pain in both hips and I don’t know why. The pain is most intense when I first put my feet on…

Steroid Use Lowers Oxidative Stress in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Progressive MS Patients in Pilot Study

AĀ pilot study inĀ patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) found a steroid treatmentĀ of benefit by decreasingĀ oxidative stressĀ in theĀ cerebrospinal fluid. The study, ā€œOne-time intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application alters the redox potential in cerebrospinal fluid of progressive multiple sclerosis patients: a pilot study,ā€ was published in the journalĀ …