Immune-Based Therapy Shows Early Promise Against MS

                                                                  

THURSDAY, April 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An experimental immune-system therapy appears safe for people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. And it may ease symptoms in some, a preliminary study suggests.

The findings are based on just six patients, and the Australian researchers stressed that a lot of work still lies ahead.

But they were encouraged that this new approach to MS had no major side effects. In addition, three of the six patients showed symptom improvements, including reduced fatigue and better mobility.

It’s not clear, however, what to make of those improvements, said Bruce Bebo, executive vice president of research for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The study was a “phase 1” trial, meaning it was designed only to test the therapy’s safety.

“Based on this very preliminary study, the therapy appears safe,” said Bebo, who was not involved in the research.

“But I’d be even more cautious in drawing any conclusions about the clinical improvements,” he stressed.

Larger, rigorous clinical trials are needed to show whether the treatment truly works, Bebo said.

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