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MSIF and the MS Society of Canada, Calgary and Area Chapter, receive Friends of Canada Awards on 21 October 2009

source: MSIF

MSIF and the MS Society of Canada, Calgary and Area Chapter, received Friends of Canada Awards, at simultaneous ceremonies in the UK and Canada, linked by telecast, on 21 October 2009.

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Profile of the Month : January 2010

Kent Andersson

Country: Sweden
Age: 55
Type of MS: Relapsing-remitting
Year of Diagnosis: 1997

"I felt a big relief when I first participated in meetings with other people who have MS. We could share experiences and discuss our strange symptoms. This made the MS diagnosis less strange and scary to me."

Deutsch English Español French Italiano Русский

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Rituximab in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis: results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter trial

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody which selectively targets CD20, a specific antigen (i.e. protein) present on the surface of B cells, a type of immune cell. This treatment has been proven to be effective in reducing disease activity in relapsing-remitting MS. Since no treatment has been shown to be effective in delaying the progression of primary progressive MS (PPMS), the authors aimed to investigate the efficacy of rituximab in people with PPMS. In this multicentre, double blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial, people were randomised to receive either rituximab or a placebo. The main aim of the study was to investigate whether rituximab could delay the time to confirmed progression compared to placebo. Although the time to confirmed progression was not different between the two groups, some efficacy was observed for people with high inflammatory activity in their MRI and/or people younger than 51 years old.

authors: Hawker K, O'Connor P, Freedman MS, Calabresi PA, Antel J, Simon J, Hauser S, Waubant E, Vollmer T, Panitch H, Zhang J, Chin P, Smith CH; OLYMPUS trial group

source: Ann Neurol. 2009 Sep 9;66(4):460-471

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Real-life impact of early interferonbeta therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis

Interferon beta is an accepted treatment for relapsing-remitting MS. It has been suggested that the earlier the IFN is given, the greater the benefit, although this view is controversial. This is a descriptive study where more than 2,500 people with MS treated with interferon beta have been followed for between seven to 15 years. The authors found that a reduced disability progression was observed for people who started IFN treatment within the first year after the onset of the disease.

authors: Trojano M, Pellegrini F, Paolicelli D, Fuiani A, Zimatore GB, Tortorella C, Simone IL, Patti F, Ghezzi A, Zipoli V, Rossi P, Pozzilli C, Salemi G, Lugaresi A, Bergamaschi R, Millefiorini E, Clerico M, Lus G, Vianello M, Avolio C, Cavalla P, Lepore V, Livrea P, Comi G, Amato MP; Italian Multiple Sclerosis Database Network (MSDN) Group

source: Ann Neurol. 2009 May 28;66(4):513-520

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Brainstem (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy: marker of demyelination and repair in spinal cord

In this study, carried out in animal models of MS (mice), the authors found that magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the brainstem can be useful in predicting the degree of recovery of the spinal cord after demyelinating damage. Although the findings of this study need to be replicated in humans, they are important and may have interesting implications from the point of view of clinical practice in the future.

authors: Denic A, Bieber A, Warrington A, Mishra PK, Macura S, Rodriguez M

source: Ann Neurol. 2009 May 28;66(4):559-564

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MicroRNA miR-326 regulates T(H)-17 differentiation and is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

It is well known that the protein interleukin 17 (IL-17) plays a major role in MS and has been associated with clinical severity in animal models of MS. In this work, the authors found that the IL-17-related microRNA (a type of RNA with regulatory functions), promotes the production and differentiation (i.e. growth and development) of IL-17-producing T helper lymphocytes. These are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune diseases, including MS. The authors also found that higher levels of the microRNA provoked the appearance of a more severe disease in animal models of MS. They concluded that this microRNA may serve as a new and valuable target for future treatments in MS.

authors: Du C, Liu C, Kang J, Zhao G, Ye Z, Huang S, Li Z, Wu Z, Pei G

source: MicroRNA miR-326 regulates T(H)-17 differentiation and is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

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"Una Mela per la Vita" (an apple for life) campaign raises funds and awareness in Italy

source: Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla

The Italian MS Society, Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (AISM), held their "Una Mela per la Vita" fundraising and awareness campaign on 10-11 October 2009. The campaign saw events in 3,000 places across Italy and raised €2,205,000.

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European drug agency to weigh risks/benefits of Tysabri - cites 23 cases of PML

source: US National MS Society

The European Medicines Agency has released a statement indicating that one of its advisory committees will launch a review of the risks and benefits of Tysabri in light of 23 confirmed cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) that it says have occurred since the drug has been on the market.

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Researchers show how immune attack may directly damage nerve fibres in MS

source: US National MS Society

Researchers report on a protein that may engage the immune attack to target nerve fibres in MS; studies suggest that damage to nerve fibres may be the root cause of long-term disability in MS.

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