New MS Therapies Show Promise

But the side effects of one drug require much more research, researchers say

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THURSDAY, Oct. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Two medications may prove to be advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, researchers say.

In one study, an experimental drug called oral fumarate (BG00012) substantially reduced symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, according to a phase II clinical trial by European and North American researchers.

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And in a second trial, researchers found that the leukemia drug alemtuzumab (Campath) was about 70 percent more effective than another drug already widely used to treat MS. However, alemtuzumab also had significant side effects, including bleeding disorders, a greater risk of thyroid disease, and infections. This prompted experts to say that much more research is needed before alemtuzumab can be prescribed to treat multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a nervous system disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells. This damage slows or blocks messages between the brain and the body, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Symptoms of the disease can include visual disturbances; muscle weakness; trouble with coordination and balance; sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles;" and thinking and memory problems.

It's not known what causes multiple sclerosis. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when the body attacks itself. MS affects women more than men, and it often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. An estimated 400,000 Americans have the disease. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak or walk. There's no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine.

The 24-week study of BG00012 included 257 patients, ages 18 to 55, who were randomly assigned to receive either 120 milligrams of BG00012 once a day (64 patients), 120 milligrams three times a day (64 patients), 240 milligrams three times a day (64 patients), or a placebo (65 patients). The patients were assessed at weeks 12, 16, 20 and 24.

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-- Robert Preidt