Tovaxin®, a cellular immunotherapy has completed a Phase 2b clinical study for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Tovaxin is specifically tailored to each patient's disease profile and is designed to reduce the number of specific subsets of autoreactive T-cells known to attack myelin. Treatment will consist of donating blood and creating a vaccine using the patient’s own cells. The vaccine cells will be irradiated to render them unable to divide, but able to evoke an immune response.

Tovaxin is manufactured using Opexa Therapeutics’ proprietary method for the production of patient-specific T-cell vaccines, which comprises the collection of blood from the MS patient, the harvest and expansion of disease-causing T-cells from the blood, and the return of these expanded, irradiated T-cells back to the patient. These attenuated T-cells, which comprise the Tovaxin vaccine, are reintroduced into the patient via subcutaneous injection to trigger a therapeutic immune system response.

The vaccines will be administered in the doctor’s office as a subcutaneous injection in the arm given five times a year. The first four injections are administered a month apart with the fifth and final injection being administered two months after the fourth. For more information on Opexa and Tovaxin, please visit  Opexa Therapeutics . You can also discuss this and other MS  topics on My Blog

FDA Approves Nuedexta For PBA

The FDA Approved Nuedexta ™ (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate). It is the first drug developed specifically to treat uncontrollable laughing or crying, also called pseudobulbar affect, or PBA. Nuedexta  is an oral drug shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce episodes of PBA in people with MS, ALS and other diseases.
For more information on PBA, or other MS related topics please visit My Blog

FDA Approves First Oral Drug to Treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

On September 22, 2010, The FDA, approved Gilenya (fingolimod), the first oral drug for multiple sclerosis (MS). Gilenya is used to treat  relapsing  and remitting form of MS. The drug has been shown to significantly reduces MS attacks. However, there can be serious side effects, with possible heart, lung, and eye toxicity and increased risk of infection.

Side effect can include

* Elevated liver enzymes
* Macular edema (swelling of the central portion of the retina, causing distorted vision)
* Elevated blood pressure
* Shortness of breath
*Bronchitis
* Diarrhea
* Bradycardia (slowing of the heartbeat, seen only upon first treatment. The FDA panel recommended that patients be required to receive their first dose under medical supervision.Tell Us What You Think

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)  Multiple sclerosis (MS) 

Naltrexone was approved by the FDA in 1984 for the treatment of narcotic addictions.  At significantly low doses, naltrexone has also been prescribed as treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Please visit our blog where you can read the full story and tell us what you think.

Statin Drug May Slow Progression Of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Recent studies demonstrate that the statin class of cholesterol lowering agents may slow the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), eliminating the development of new brain lesions over the course of the study. Please read the full story.

 
Acorda Therapeutics Announces Availability of AMPYRA (TM)
(dalfampridine)

Acordia Therapeutics announced that as of  March 1st 2010 AMPYRA(TM) (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10mg is now available by prescription in the US and Puerto Rico. AMPYRA was approved in January 2010 by the U.S. FDA as a treatment to improve walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).  AMPYRA is indicated for use in all types of MS, and can be used either alone or with existing therapies. For more information please visit Acorda Therapeutics.

Dr. Paolo Zamboni’s Multiple sclerosis 'blood blockage theory'.

Scientists at the University of Buffalo are investigating a radical new theory proposed by Italian researcher,  Dr. Paolo Zamboni, that in 90% of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases, venous occlusions are impicated in the etiology. For the full story please see Health reporter, BBC News.

STEM CELL RESEARCH:

- Experimental NEW Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A new experimental stem cell treatment has shown complete reversal of multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice, and might have similar benefits in humans, say researchers at the Jewish General Hospital Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and McGill University in Montreal. Please follow the link for the full story

- Lecture Series on Stem Cell Therapy for MS

 



U.S. researchers have reversed multiple sclerosis symptoms in early stage patients by using bone marrow stem cell transplants to reset the immune system. Please follow this link for the full story.

MS Events:

Bike MS is the premier cycling series in the nation. With over 100 unique and exceptional rides, the Bike MS phenomenon is the ride of your life. To find a biking event near you follow this link. http://www.bikems.org/

Join Walk MS in your community, or accept the challenge to walk 30-50 miles over 2 to 3 days, at any of our nine Challenge Walks across the nation. To locate a walk MS event near you please follow this link  http://www.walkms.org. 

 

 

 

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