Program Date: November 8, 2014
Emerging MS Therapies plus Lemtrada- FDA approval Update
Dr Burks reviewed over 30 potential new therapies which are
in the process of being tested for people with MS. They included:
in the process of being tested for people with MS. They included:
Stem
cell research for MS reveals considerable interest and preliminary results that
demonstrate the ability to generate stem cells from bone marrow, fat tissue and
skin tissue that have the potential to help restore damaged MS brain, including
myelin. Clinicals trials are ongoing. However, we must await the results of these
trials and FDA approval before commercial use. Foreign “Stem cell cures for MS”
Centers are not recommended because of lack of knowledge, acceptable clinical
trial data, and regulations to assure safety and efficacy.
cell research for MS reveals considerable interest and preliminary results that
demonstrate the ability to generate stem cells from bone marrow, fat tissue and
skin tissue that have the potential to help restore damaged MS brain, including
myelin. Clinicals trials are ongoing. However, we must await the results of these
trials and FDA approval before commercial use. Foreign “Stem cell cures for MS”
Centers are not recommended because of lack of knowledge, acceptable clinical
trial data, and regulations to assure safety and efficacy.
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Lemtrada
(Alemtuzumab) has been recently FDA approved for relapsing forms of MS. Dr
Burks reviewed the superior efficacy data compared to a FDA approved
Interferon, the convenience of needing only 5 IV treatments (on consecutive
days) in the first year and the caution of adverse events that necessitate
close monitoring.
(Alemtuzumab) has been recently FDA approved for relapsing forms of MS. Dr
Burks reviewed the superior efficacy data compared to a FDA approved
Interferon, the convenience of needing only 5 IV treatments (on consecutive
days) in the first year and the caution of adverse events that necessitate
close monitoring.
Plegridy
has also been recently approved by the FDA for relapsing MS. It is effective and
safe, while only requiring a subcutaneous injection once every two weeks. The
side effects are similar to other interferons given subcutaneously.
has also been recently approved by the FDA for relapsing MS. It is effective and
safe, while only requiring a subcutaneous injection once every two weeks. The
side effects are similar to other interferons given subcutaneously.
Many
other treatments are being tested. Most are aimed at reducing the MS damage in
the Central Nervous System (CNS).Examples include:
other treatments are being tested. Most are aimed at reducing the MS damage in
the Central Nervous System (CNS).Examples include:
1. Monoclonal antibodies that target “B
lymphocytes”, instead of the “T lymphocytes”. This approach attacks another
part of the immune system that may damage the CNS.
lymphocytes”, instead of the “T lymphocytes”. This approach attacks another
part of the immune system that may damage the CNS.
2. Vaccine type medications
3. Medications that are already FDA
approved for relapsing MS are now being tested in non-relapsing progressive
forms of MS (SPMS and PPMS)
approved for relapsing MS are now being tested in non-relapsing progressive
forms of MS (SPMS and PPMS)
4. Estrogen type hormone therapy for
women to decrease brain damage
women to decrease brain damage
5. Monoclonal antibodies that target
newly recognized “T lymphocytes” which initiate inflammation.
newly recognized “T lymphocytes” which initiate inflammation.
6. Medications similar to currently approved MS therapies,
but which may have fewer side effects
but which may have fewer side effects
7. Medications that may reduce
degeneration of brain cells, not just inflammation
degeneration of brain cells, not just inflammation
8. Medications that have been used in
other diseases are being “repurposed” to treat MS.
other diseases are being “repurposed” to treat MS.
9. Medications to increase myelin that
has been damaged
has been damaged
10. Vitamin D is being studied to better
determine its potential usefulness in MS
determine its potential usefulness in MS
11. A low salt diet is another method to
reduce inflammation in MS
reduce inflammation in MS
12. Re-equilibrating the bacteria in the
intestines is another novel approach to MS therapy that is just now beginning
to be explored (Microbiomes)
intestines is another novel approach to MS therapy that is just now beginning
to be explored (Microbiomes)
In summary, many new potential treatments are becoming available and more are in the early stages of testing. Many of these new medications are targeting the progressive forms of MS, as well as relapsing MS.
The future for MS therapy has never looked brighter.
To watch this presentation, click here
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