New Blood Test May Make ‘Off the Rack’ MS Treatments Closer to ‘Designer Drugs’ – Everyday Health (blog)

By Trevis Gleason

Since the mid-1990s, the diagnosing process for most people suspected of having multiple sclerosis (MS) has included a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) to look for certain antibodies and proteins, and an MRI scan to look for lesions in the brain.

Previous to that, immersion into a hot tub (to see if symptoms worsened with heat) and evoked response tests may have been used.

In the future, its possible that a test for blood biomarkers could become a standard part of the diagnostic process for MS and it could also help to determine the best form of treatment for those diagnosed.

Earlier this month, Australian researchers announcedthey had discovered blood biomarkers of multiple sclerosis after 12 years of research. The biomarkers not only identify the presence of MS but also help to determine a persons stage of MS progression.

While a commercial blood test using this research is not yet available, one is currently being developed.

AnAustralian radio broadcaston the biomarker discovery gave a good sense of how the researchers see such a blood test for MS panning out.

The researchers hope this type of blood testing might also prove helpful for people withmotor neuron disease/ALS (known in America as Lou Gehrigs Disease) as well as Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases.

The day after the news broke, I was approached by an American marketing firm and asked to be on an advisory panel for a biotech firm looking to develop a blood test for MS in the United States. It looks like this breakthrough may be crossing the ocean soon. (I am looking at their proposal but have not accepted any position as an advisor.)

Of course, these tests have not yet been approved by regulatory agencies, but the promise of getting on the right drug from the beginning rather than hunting and pecking to find the best treatment would be a great improvement.

Weve heard of designer drugs for other conditions in the past several years. The thought of genetically determined treatments for MS is appealing, but such treatments are likely a long way off if in fact they are ever found.

The thought that we might find the right medication fit using a blood biomarker test might be nearly as good, particularly at off-the-rack prices (we can hope).

Wishing you and your family the best of health.

Cheers,

Trevis

My book, Chef Interrupted, is available onAmazon.Follow me on theLife With MS Facebook pageand onTwitter, and subscribe toLife With Multiple Sclerosis.

Photo: iStock.com

Last Updated: 2/16/2017

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New Blood Test May Make 'Off the Rack' MS Treatments Closer to 'Designer Drugs' - Everyday Health (blog)