New drug proves effective for both types of MS

Conclusion This study shows promising results for a new approach to treating MS. However, the study period is relatively short (96 weeks is about 20 months, so less than two years) and MS is a long-term disease. If this drug is approved for use, longer studies will be needed to be sure that this treatment lives up to its early promise over many years and to monitor for adverse reactions in real life, particularly cancers. Some people with relapsing remitting MS do well on existing treatments, and have only infrequent relapses of mild symptoms which get worse very slowly. But for most patients on standard treatment, the damage to their nervous system worsens over time, making it progressively harder to carry on with normal activities. If this drug can lessen the damage to the nervous system, it might help arrest this process. The numbers of cancers seen in the study gives some cause for concern. While there were also cancers seen in the standard treatment group, it's a reminder that powerful treatments which affect the immune system can also cause harm. Bigger, longer-term studies should give us a clearer picture of how the balance of benefits and harms stacks up for ocrelizumab. It is expected that these studies should begin in 2017. If you are interested in taking part in clinical trials for MS, visit the UK Clinical Trails Gateways site for MS research. Links To The Headlines Multiple sclerosis drug 'a landmark'. BBC News, December 22 2016 Links To Science Hauser SL, Bar...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Medication Source Type: news