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Latest Research Presented at ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS 2011
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More than 7000 clinicians and researchers, including three physicians from the Swedish MS Center, attended the world's largest MS conference - the annual meeting of the European and American Committees for Treatment and Research in MS held in Amsterdam, from October 19-22, 2011.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Positive results from large phase III trials of oral agents (laquinimod, teriflunomide and BG-12) and intravenous alemtuzumab were presented.
- Positive results fom smaller, phase II trials, were presented on injectable dazlicumab, ocrelizumab and oral BAF-312.
- No new safety concerns have been identified regarding fingolimod (Gilenya)
- Results from RESTORE trial suggest that there are risks associated with planned drug holidays for patients on natalizumab (Tysabri), and that periodic steroids or injectable therapies do not offer protection during the drug holiday
- Higher levels of vitamin D in blood, as well as active supplementation with vitamin D, result in fewer MRI lesions, according to researchers from San Francisco and Finland, respectively. An Australian group, however, has not confirmed these findings, possibly due to differences in study duration and amount of vitamin D supplementation.
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Research published on likely second oral MS medication
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Results of a large phase III study of oral teriflunomide were published in the influential New England Journal of Medicine. In this multinational 2-year study of more than 1000 patients, two doses of teriflunomide were compared to placebo. Teriflunomide was found to decrease the number of MS relapses, progression of disability, and accummulation of MRI lesions, compared to placebo.
Most commonly reported side effects were nausea, diarrhea and hair thinning. Based on these and other promising results, teriflunomide has been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. If approved, it may become the second oral medication for the treatment of MS, in addition to the currently approved Gilenya.
Teriflunomide is currently available through a trial for patients with CIS - the first-ever attack of possible multiple sclerosis - at a number of locations, including the Swedish MS Center.
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Construction begins on the new Swedish MS Center
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MS patients and providers at Swedish were delighted to see the start of construction of our new MS Center. The new center will still be located in the Jefferson Tower, where it will occupy the entire floor A (between 1st and ground floors). Stay tuned for more updates from the construction site, as the work continues on building the MS Center for the future.
You can support the new center by making a gift to help people living with MS in the Puget Sound region. To support the expanded MS Center, contact Kate Purcell, Director, Major Gifts; Direct line: 206-386-3194; Email: kate.purcell@swedish.org
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Multiple Sclerosis News Digest
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People with health conditions urged to get flu jab ObserverWatford
Among those most at risk are people with conditions such as asthma, heart disease or multiple sclerosis. Pregnant women and people over 65 years old are also more at risk from flu...
Gut bacteria linked to Multiple Sclerosis Nature, via MSRC News
The spark that ignites multiple sclerosis may come from within. A new study in mice points to normal intestinal bacteria as a trigger for the immune disorder...
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