Category Archives: MS Treatment

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Article Date: 20 Sep 2012 - 7:00 PDT Current ratings for: MS Pill Shows Promise In Reducing Relapses 1 (1 votes) The studies report the results of two phase 3 clinical trials, DEFINE and CONFIRM, evaluating oral BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) for the treatment of MS. They are published in the 19 September online issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM. The dose used in the trials was 240 mg of dimethyl fumarate, administered twice daily, or three times a day. The results show that at this dose, compared to placebo, the drug resulted in significant and clinically meaningful reductions in MS relapses and brain lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, as well as some benefit in slowing disease progression. About 85% of people with MS have the relapsing-remitting form (RRMS), which means there are times when the disease flares up and is very active, and at other times it quietens down or remits. During remission periods, the symptoms can almost disappear, and the disease barely progresses. "The publication of both dimethyl fumarate pivotal studies in NEJM is another achievement for this important … Continue reading →

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --For the fifth year in a row, the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society will host the Women on the Move luncheon Thursday, September 20th at the Richmond Marriott (Downtown) from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Sponsored by CowanGates, Saxon Shoes, TEVA Neuroscience, Union First Market Bank and Lite 98, event attendees will celebrate six Richmond-area business and community leaders who are finalists for the Woman on the Move Award: The event's keynote speaker, Zoe Koplowitz, is a 22-time marathon finisher who lives with the daily challenges of Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Babette Fuss of Virginia Commonwealth University will also speak about the progress being made on her MS research project, and the program will culminate with the presentation of the Woman on the Move Award. This year, Vera and Mike Caniglia of Vera's Fine Jewelers have donated a beautiful, custom-designed pin for the 2012 Woman on the Move recipient. Designed to look like a high-heel shoe with the MS Society logo, the pin will be passed down each year to the next award winner. This year it will be presented by Debbie Johnston, owner of Care Advantage and the 2011 recipient of the Woman … Continue reading →

CLEVELAND, Ohio---A new oral medication for the most common form of multiple sclerosis significantly cut down on relapses and brain lesions, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The drug may offer a safe and convenient alternative for patients who want to avoid frequent injections. "It's an important option [for patients]," said Nicholas LaRocca, vice president of healthcare delivery and policy research at the National MS Society. The drug, BG-12, or dimethyl fumarate, is a new type of treatment that researchers believe may work by reducing inflammation in the brain or by helping cells in the brain and spinal cord protect themselves from the damage that is characteristic of the disease, said Dr. Robert Fox, lead author of the study and medical director of the Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis. "BG-12 seems to offer us a step forward in MS treatment," said Fox. There is no cure for MS, a disease in which the body's own defense system attacks the protective layer surrounding nerves, and can cause numbness, paralysis and loss of vision. About 400,000 people in the U.S. have the disease, according to the National MS Society. BG-12 is the latest … Continue reading →

BG-12 suppresses relapses Web edition : 5:32 pm People with multiple sclerosis might soon have a new option for controlling their disease with pills instead of shots. Two studies in the Sept. 20 New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate that a variation on a drug used against psoriasis for years in Germany holds off MS relapses and has minimal side effects. These data look good. Both studies show a reduction in relapses with really pretty robust effects, says Clyde Markowitz, a neurologist at the University of Pennsylvania who wasnt involved with the trials. The drug, called BG-12, has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval by the biotech company Biogen Idec. Markowitz expects it to get approved. It would be a clear benefit to the MS population to have another option, he says. If approved, BG-12 would be the third oral drug available to treat MS. The disease results when the immune system attacks the fatty myelin sheaths coating nerves in the central nervous system, leading to impaired muscle control, balance, vision and speech. BG-12, or dimethyl fumarate, has anti-inflammatory, cell-protective and antioxidant effects, which earlier work suggested could suppress the aberrant immune reactions in MS … Continue reading →

Sept. 19, 2012 -- An experimental pill is showing promise for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. In two late-phase studies appearing in The New England Journal of Medicine, the drug BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) reduced relapses by about half in patients with the most common form of MS. If approved by the FDA, BG-12, which is being developed by drug maker Biogen Idec, will become the third oral drug for people with multiple sclerosis. The second -- Sanofi Aventis pill Aubagio -- won FDA approval just last week. This is an exciting time in the development of new drugs for MS, especially considering the fact that we had no effective treatments just a few decades ago, says National MS Society Chief Research Officer Timothy Coetzee, PhD. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the insulation that coats and protects nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. With the most common type, people experience sporadic attacks or flare-ups of symptoms that are then followed by periods of remission. Symptoms include numbness, fatigue, vision problems, spasms, and issues with bladder and bowel control. People with this "relapsing-remitting" form of MS were the target group for the new … Continue reading →

Thousands of Americans who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS) might one day be able to take advantage of a drug that new research suggests is both safe and effective. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease that affects nearly 400,000 people in the United States. It attacks the protective substance called myelin that covers the nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. Myelin is similar to the insulation of a wire and ensures proper nerve function. Once the myelin is damaged, the disease can also damage the nerve fibers themselves, leading to scars in these delicate tissues. This damage leads to symptoms as mild as tingling in your feet and fingers, or as severe as paralysis or blindness. Eighty-five percent of MS patients are diagnosed with what is called relapsing-remitting MS, which means they experience flare-ups of symptoms, followed by partial or complete recovery. A team of researchers looked at nearly 1,500 patients in 28 countries taking the experimental oral drug, known for now by the name BG-12, to see whether such flare-ups decreased, as well as whether they experienced any side effects from the treatment. The patients were studied for two years. The results were encouraging. … Continue reading →

Video will begin in 5 seconds. The sacked principal of Melbourne's prestigious Methodist Ladies College, Rosa Storelli, says she is considering legal action. Sacked Methodist Ladies' College principal Rosa Storelli has launched a stinging attack on the board of the elite Melbourne girl's school, accusing its chair of "gross mismanagement" and calling for its members to be fired in the wake of her treatment. Ms Storelli, one of the country's most high-profile school leaders, claims she first alerted the board about her overpayments in January this year and now feels violated by her sudden sacking, which was akin to bullying. Sacked Methodist Ladies College principal Rosa Storelli denies any wrongdoing. Photo: Angela Wylie The Age understands that MLC's board of directors believes Ms Storelli was overpaid by more than half a million dollars over her 15 years as principal. Advertisement The nine non-executive directors of the prestigious Kew school unanimously voted to terminate Ms Storelli's employment after the board said a Deloitte review revealed, among other matters, "significant overpayments of remuneration to Ms Storelli". But Ms Storelli says she has never been shown the "fictitious Deloitte report" and has been denied a fair hearing. The board of the Methodist Ladies' … Continue reading →

Sept. 20, 2012, midnight THE mystery of the ducknapping has been solved and it turns out it was all in the name of a good deed. Regina Bell of Warrnambool contacted The Standard yesterday to clarify the claims that she and her partner had ducknapped Daffy, the tame duck which has become a favourite of visitors to the Harbour Pavilion and breakwater area due to its friendliness. Ms Bell, who objected to witnesses claims that she and her partner were feral-looking, said she had noticed Daffy was suffering from a swollen knee joint. We took it the duck to the vet to get its leg fixed, she explained. No one had noticed it had a swollen joint. We took it to the Lava Street Veterinary Clinic and they fixed it and gave it an injection to its knee because it had a swollen joint. We took it there at about 11am, they had it for the afternoon and then put it in a (wildlife shelter), then released it in the morning. We told council about (the ducks injury) but they said it was fine and leave it alone. Ms Bell said she and her partner had tried to capture the … Continue reading →

Video will begin in 5 seconds. Sacked MLC principal Rosa Storelli tells 3AW despite raising issues of her own overpayment in January, she was never shown the 'fictitious' report that led to the decision to remove her from her post. Sacked Methodist Ladies College principal Rosa Storelli has launched a stinging attack on the board of the elite Melbourne girl's school, accusing its chair of "gross mismanagement" and calling for its members to be fired in the wake of her treatment. Ms Storelli, one of the country's most high-profile school leaders, claims she first alerted the board about her overpayments in January this year and now feels violated by her sudden sacking, which was akin to bullying. Sacked Methodist Ladies College principal Rosa Storelli denies any wrongdoing. Photo: Angela Wylie The Age understands that MLC's board of directors believes Ms Storelli was overpaid by more than half a million dollars over her 15 years as principal. Advertisement The nine non-executive directors of the prestigious Kew school unanimously voted to terminate Ms Storelli's employment after the board said a Deloitte review revealed, among other matters, "significant overpayments of remuneration to Ms Storelli". But Ms Storelli says she has never been shown … Continue reading →

Video will begin in 5 seconds. Sacked MLC principal Rosa Storelli tells 3AW despite raising issues of her own overpayment in January, she was never shown the 'fictitious' report that led to the decision to remove her from her post. Sacked Methodist Ladies College principal Rosa Storelli has launched a stinging attack on the board of the elite Melbourne girl's school, accusing its chair of "gross mismanagement" and calling for its members to be fired in the wake of her treatment. Ms Storelli, one of the country's most high-profile school leaders, claims she first alerted the board about her overpayments in January this year and now feels violated by her sudden sacking, which was akin to bullying. Sacked Methodist Ladies College principal Rosa Storelli denies any wrongdoing. Photo: Angela Wylie The Age understands that MLC's board of directors believes Ms Storelli was overpaid by more than half a million dollars over her 15 years as principal. Advertisement The nine non-executive directors of the prestigious Kew school unanimously voted to terminate Ms Storelli's employment after the board said a Deloitte review revealed, among other matters, "significant overpayments of remuneration to Ms Storelli". But Ms Storelli says she has never been shown … Continue reading →