Neurological Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Treatments Latest News
Interferon Only Partially Successful in MS - [11/11/08]
Summary: Regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations show that only about half of patients with multiple sclerosis achieve and sustain a response to treatment with interferon beta over three years, according to a study that will appear in the January 2009 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Comment: This study reveals that some MS patients (about half) may relapse after treatment with interferon. This is the first long-term study to follow this trend among MS patients. In other words, interferon treatment may not be effective for every patient with MS.
Read article - Only Half of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Achieve and Maintain Response to Interferon Treatment
Multiple Sclerosis Reversed with Leukemia Drug - [10/23/08]
Summary: A new drug that was recently developed to treat leukemia has been shown to reverse the nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis. This drug stopped the advancement of multiple sclerosis and even helped reverse the damage from this neurological condition. "This is the first drug that has shown the potential to halt and even reverse the debilitating effects of MS and this news will rightly bring hope to people living with the condition day in, day out," says Lee Dunster head of research at the MS Society.
Comment: Because multiple sclerosis is a debilitating and usually fatal disease, this new drug can give those with this condition hope. This is the first drug known to help reverse the progressive side effects of multiple sclerosis which may improve the life of those with this condition.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 23, 2008
EndMS Pushes to Cure Multiple Sclerosis - [09/23/08]
Summary: The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has a new 3 year goal national campaign of raising a certain amount of money to fund the research for Multiple Sclerosis. The target of endMS is to accelerate the research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis, overall putting an end to the condition.
Comment: Multiple sclerosis can be a terminal condition, and pushing to find a cure for it may benefit many patients. Working together with other countries, researchers are pushing harder than ever to find a cure for this condition.
Read article - Medical News Today September 23, 2008
NHS Failing Needs of Multiple Sclerosis - [07/09/08]
Summary: A recent audit shows that the NHS is failing to implement the 2003 NICE guidelines for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The access to neurological rehabilitation services was only available to 36% of people with multiple sclerosis. There has been improved access to specialist services, but the wait from a GP referal to the actual diagnosis was over 20 weeks for 50% of people with multiple sclerosis.
Comment: It is important to have access to good care for multiple scelrosis, since without such care the disabilities will worsen, and the disease will cost much more. Even after 5 years the NHS is still far from providing the level of care needed for patients with multiple sclerosis. There is still a large factor of geological luck when trying to find care for multiple scelrosis. Eight recommendations were made as part of the study to try and improve the treatment and care of those with multiple sclerosis.
Read article - Medical News TODAY July 9, 2008
Novel Drug May Lessen MS Activity - [07/04/08]
Summary: A new anti-sense drug has been developed and shown to significantly reduce disease activity for people with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. The activity was decreased by about 54.4% for the number of new active lesions after taking the new drug for at least 8 weeks. Specialized types of lesions were also decreased after taking the treatment for only 4-8 weeks.
Comment: The drug company plans to continue the testing and clinical trials of their new medicatoin. They believe that it could be released to the public to help reduce brain lesions in people with multiple sclerosis. There were very few side effects, and those were quickly reversed. Preventing brains lesions could help people with MS experience less disease activity.
Read article - Medical News TODAY July 4, 2008
Those Using Complementary or Alternative Medicine Should Tell Doctor - [06/27/08]
Summary: An estimated 60% of multiple sclerosis patients use complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), however, only about 1/3 of them have informed their healthcare provider of the fact. It is essential that patients communicate this fact because of the risk for dangerous drug interactions or the misunderstanding of symptoms.
Comment: Patients should always list all therapies and treatments they use on medical history forms. They should also tell their healthcare provider about all medications and supplements they take and consult their doctors before engaging in a new CAM treatment.
Read article - National Multiple Sclerosis Society. June 27, 2008.
Experimental News Drug for Multiple Sclerosis - [06/20/08]
Summary: A pill to treat the "relapse-remitting" form of multiple sclerosis fights the disease with few side effects. The drug, laquinimod, is still in experimental stages. People taking laquinimod were shown to have 40% fewer lesions, which indicate MS activity, on an MRI. There were two side effects, but both are reversible.
Comment: While laquinimod is not as strong as injectible MS medications, researchers believe that being able to take an oral medication would help patients to stick with their treatment regeiment. The drug has gone through Phase 2 of the trials and currently appears to be safe with few side effects, Phase 3 of the testing is currently underway, which may open up a new method of treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Read article - healthfinder.gov June 20, 2008
New Treatment May Not Suppress Immune System - [06/19/08]
Summary: Scientists have located a key cellular protein that might allow multiple sclerosis to be treated without any dampening of the immune system caused by some other drugs. The TL1A and DR3 proteins have been used to treat some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but they have compromised the immune system as a whole. DR3 deficient mice did not have the same immune system problems.
Comment: This information could allow the development of treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in which inflammation is the main symptom. This includes multiple sclerosis and asthma. More testing is being done to determine whether these treatments could raise the risk of a disease such as tuberculosis becoming active, but researchers believe that this information could bring a new kind of treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Read article - healthfinder.gov June 19, 2008
Older Cancer Drug Is Newest MS Treatment - [06/11/08]
Summary: Fifty years ago, the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide was one the newest cancer treatments. Today it could help patients with the most aggressive, hard-to-treat form of multiple sclerosis. In a small study, high doses of the drug slowed the progression of the disease and improved the functioning of patients.
Comment: Cyclophosphamide is highly toxic and risky. Patients can die as a result of treatment, so it's not a therapy to adopt without careful consideration of both the risks and benefits. As studies on the treatment progress, there will be better information as patients consider how to manage the disease long term.
Read article - WebMD. June 11, 2008.
Not All Samples Are "Free" - [04/24/08]
Summary: Multiple sclerosis is an expensive disease to treat. So it may seem as if your doctor is doing you a favor to offer you free samples of medicines. But samples are often for very expensive brand-name medicines. When the sample runs out, you get to pay for them--often at a higher co-pay.
Comment: This article outlines five questions you should ask your doctor before accepting samples, such as how long you'll be taking the drug, and whether a generic or cheaper alternative is available. The article also links to other articles with advice on cutting the cost of your prescription drugs, including two reports on how to enroll in drug assistance programs and how to find the best prices on prescription medications.
Read article - CNN.com. April 24, 2008.