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A STUDY HAS indicated possible treatment options for those with an advanced kind of multiple sclerosis (MS) that could delay their symptoms.
The study, published in The Lancet today, indicates that those with an advanced version of the neurological condition could benefit from treatment that would delay the progression of MS in the short-term.
MS can manifest itself in a number of different ways depending on the severity of the disease and the person who has it. Most people are diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age, and 85% of diagnoses relate to relapsing and remitting MS, which involves ‘relapses’ where you experience symptoms, and periods of time when you don’t.
This study relates to secondary MS, a form of MS that leads to progressive, irreversible disability, largely independent of relapses.
There is a high unmet medical need for new treatments that are safe and effective for patients with secondary progressive MS.
Although there are a wide range of symptoms, some of the most common ones include fatigue, vision problems, numbness and tingling, muscle spasms, and pain.
MS affects around 2.3 million people worldwide and about 9,000 people in Ireland.
The Novartis study EXPAND
In a randomised, double-blind placebo study EXPAND, results showed a “significant reduction” in the progression of the disease within three and six-months when a drug called siponimod is taken. This was compared to a placebo and favourable outcomes in other studies of MS.
If approved, siponimod would be the first disease-modifying therapy to delay disability progression in patients with secondary progressive MS, including many who had reached a high level of disability.
The results of the study were:
“Currently, Irish people with secondary progressive MS have limited treatment options,”says Professor Orla Hardiman, Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital and Professor of Neurology at Trinity College.
These data, published today, shows that siponimod delays the advancement of disability for these patients, representing an important milestone in MS care.
“These data are all the more impressive when considering that the majority of patients already had advanced disability when starting treatment on the study”.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, who conducted the study, plans to file for a European licence in 2018. You can read more about the study here.
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Sounds positive, lets hope it will be supported though and access given to those in need!!
@Annette Manning: how much does this mess cost???? : /
@Rosie Murray: *med
@Rosie Murray: haven’t a clue sorry!!
@Annette Manning: let’s hope the research is not falsified to give great profits to Novartis shareholders the agent which may do nothing for suffers as happens quite often these days.
Insane asking price for medication that produces little or no benefit rejected by independent expert group. Sufferer with condition goes on joe Duffy and says this drug COULD transform their lives. Political pressure becomes too great. Drug gets approved. Huge spend on drug Reulgs in lost to other area in health care.
Apologies for the intense cynicism but this is what is happening in Pharma these days.
@Annette Manning: lookin st study it is not promising at all. MS can’t be studied over such a short period of time. The relative reductions (%) may be tiny in actual values. Eg 6/1000 versus 3/1000 is a 50% reduction. The use of “significant” in research reports is a play on the actual meaning which is statistically significant as opposed to what would be assumed to mean “very large” or “big”. We need to be on our guard for papers like this funded bun the company themselves.
@Ranty McCrank: Thank you, you’re v knowledgable. I have a family member with this hence my interest when something new is announced…
These break throughs are always good news hopefully it won’t be long before people see good results.
Millions spent on MS treatments backed by fraudulent research to date have been a complete waste of health budget money to the benefit of Pharma companies. Eg. Beta interferon injections.
I see Novartis are involved in a bribery case:
@Ranty McCrank: Terrible to think people are still being prescribed interferon in 2018. A box of smarties would do them more good
I was having joints pain in both hands inside and outside and muscle weakness due to multiple sclerosis (MS). I was falling a lot, I had headaches and lightheadedness. I couldn’t keep myself balanced, and walk with a tremor like I cannot control my steps. I was on Copaxone, the first year was daily and later was 40 mg, 3 times a week. It didn’t make a tremendous difference for me. I’ve tried therapy, but it is not helping. I was seeking something to help regain my life to be able to do things for myself. It is frustrating when it feels like nobody is trying to help you find some relief. Through my primary physician i learnt about a (MS) herbal formula from NATURAL HERBAL GARDENS and their success rate with the treatment, i immediately started on the (MS) herbal protocol, I am glad to report the herbal formula worked effectively and there was no side effects, I had a total decline in symptoms, the joints pain, weakness and other symptoms stopped, my MS is totally REVERSED, Here is a link to the website we ordered from ww w.naturalherbalgardens.c om DON’T GIVE UP HOPE.
I started using multiple sclerosis (MS) herbal remedy i purchased from Best Health Herbal Centre January this year. I only used it for a month and two weeks, my condition changed automatically, all my symptoms are gone. Remaining positive have helped me during this treatment. Now am living MS FREE.
Hope this will help somebody, remember, do your own research and make your own decisions based on information you have received and digested. Thanks to Best Health Herbal Centre for their amazing work. Forever Grateful!
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