Home : Disability News : Medical News and Research By Disabled World - 2009-01-03
Medical scientists have discovered that a drug used to treat
leukaemia is effective in combating the debilitating neurological
disease multiple sclerosis.
A study, led by Cambridge University, has found alemtuzumab, a
humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD52 on lymphocytes and
monocytes designed to treat a form of leukaemia, not only stops MS from
advancing in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) but may also restore lost function.
About 1 million people worldwide have multiple sclerosis, in which
the body's defense mechanisms mistakenly attack the protective coating
around nerves. This causes injury to the nerves, which can eventually
damage coordination, strength and vision, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of MS include loss of physical skills, sensation, vision, bladder control and intellectual abilities.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine led by
Cambridge researchers found a drug called alemtuzumab can stop MS
advancing in patients in the early stages of the condition.
Dr Alasdair Coles, lecturer at the university's Department of Clinical Neurosciences, said: "The
ability of an MS drug to promote brain repair is unprecedented. We are
witnessing a drug which, if given early enough, might effectively stop
the advancement of the disease and also restore lost function by
promoting repair of the damaged brain tissue."
The three-year trial of alemtuzumab on MS patients showed it can
restore lost function, reversing some of the effects of the condition.
Researchers found patients treated with alemtuzumab were 74 per cent
less likely to experience relapses than those taking the leading
treatment interferon beta-1a. In patients with early,
relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, alemtuzumab was more effective
than interferon beta-1a.
The risk of disability was reduced by 71 per cent among those given
the new drug, suggesting alemtuzumab may allow damaged brain tissue to
repair itself and restore lost nerve function.
Lee Dunster, head of research at the MS Society, said: "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."
During the three-year trial, 20 per cent of people treated with
alemtuzumab developed an over or under-active thyroid gland, while 3
per cent developed a low platelet count, a complication that led to one
fatality. Researchers said these complications can be easily treated if
caught early.
Another drug called Naltrexone shows anecdotal evidence that it works, and; it works well - BUT, sufferers can’t get it.
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