Laquinimod: Another promising oral med for treating RR MS

Laquinimod: a promising oral medication for the

treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

March 2011, Vol. 7, No. 3 , Pages 365-370 (doi:10.1517/17425255.2011.556618)

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Jan Thöne ^† MD & Ralf Gold MD

Ruhr-University Bochum, Department of Neurology at St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany + 49 234 509 2411; + 49 234 509 2414; jan_thoene@gmx.de

^†Author for correspondence

Introduction: MS is a chronic immunological disease of the CNS. Due to a lack of curative treatment approaches, current principles aim at the reduction of inflammatory disease activity. Today, many different substances are under investigation in Phase III clinical trials and hold promise in the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Laquinimod is a promising new orally administered substance which has demonstrated beneficial effects in placebo-controlled trials in patients with RRMS and is currently under investigation in two global Phase III trials.

Areas covered: The authors review the pharmaceutical properties of laquinimod, its suggested mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy and adverse profile. This review contains data that have been presented by experts in the field at international meetings and congresses and that have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Expert opinion: While laquinimod has been shown to have a promising safety profile, its mechanisms of action are not completely understood and further research is necessary to clarify this. Studies conducted in EAE, the mouse model of MS, have demonstrated immunomodulatory and neuroprotective mechanisms of action. Hopefully, the two current pivotal Phase III trials currently underway will shed some light on laquinimod confirming its clinical potential and add to the current armamentarium for the treatment of RRMS.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1517/17425255.2011.556618

CTV Toronto - Study finds pregnancy safe in multiple sclerosis - CTV News

CTV Toronto - Study finds pregnancy safe in multiple sclerosis - CTV News

Ultra-high-field MRI allows for earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Ultra-high-field MRI allows for earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Ultra-high-field (7T) MRI can detect multiple sclerosis lesions better than MRI which can lead to possible earlier diagnosis and treatment, according to a new study by researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus, and Columbia University in New York.

For the study, the researchers analyzed post-mortem brain slices from a multiple sclerosis patient using both 3T and 7T MRI. 7T MRI made it possible to detect numerous multiple sclerosis lesions that were not detectable at 3T MRI, said Steffen Sammet, MD, PhD, lead author of the study.

"Multiple sclerosis is difficult to diagnose in its early stages," said Dr. Sammet. The greater sensitivity of 7T MRI for multiple sclerosis can delay disease conversion, and may lead to improved monitoring of neurological deficits in multiple sclerosis. MRI at 7T can give additional information about the lesion microstructure to help us better understand the disease," said Dr. Sammet.

"Ultra-high field strength has been an experimental methodology evolving over the last decade. In recent years, and especially as part of the OSU-based effort of the Wright Center of Innovation, we have been pushing, to evolve ultra-high field into a clinically capable imaging method. The significant advantage of higher field strength is the gain in signal that can be used in many different ways to increase sensitivity and increase the speed of acquisition or to increase resolution," said Dr. Sammet.

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The full results of this study will be presented as an electronic exhibit Monday, May 7 through Thursday May 10 during the American Roentgen Ray Society's annual meeting in Orlando, FL.

ScienceDaily: Multiple Sclerosis Is Increasingly Becoming A Woman's Disease: Why?

ScienceDaily: Multiple Sclerosis Is Increasingly Becoming A Woman's Disease: Why?

Science Daily — Over time, more women are developing multiple sclerosis (MS) than men, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting. In 1940, the ratio of women to men with MS in the United States was approximately two to one. By 2000, that ratio had grown to approximately four to one.

"That's an increase in the ratio of women to men of nearly 50 percent per decade," said study author Gary Cutter, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. "We don't yet know why more women are developing MS than men, and more research is needed."

Cutter said researchers will need to explore multiple changes that have occurred for women over the last several decades, including the use of oral contraceptives, earlier menstruation, obesity rates, changes in smoking rates, and later age of first births.

"We also need to ask the general questions about what women do differently than men, such as use of hair dye and use of cosmetics that may block vitamin D absorption," he said. "At this point we're just speculating on avenues of research that could be pursued."

Cutter said the largest increase in the ratio has been for those whose MS started at younger ages.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by American Academy of Neurology.

LEARNING TO COPE ~ ONE MAN'S FIGHT WITH MS

Osprey Media. - Orillia Packet & Times

New Oral Agents for Multiple Sclerosis, Including Novartis/Mitsubishi Pharma's Novel Drug, Will Capture 25% of Market Share by 2020

New Oral Agents for Multiple Sclerosis, Including Novartis/Mitsubishi Pharma's Novel Drug, Will Capture 25% of Market Share by 2020

MediciNova Announces Positive Clinical Results From MN-166 Phase II Multiple Sclerosis Trial

MediciNova Announces Positive Clinical Results From MN-166 Phase II Multiple Sclerosis Trial

Give multiple sclerosis the attention it deserves | www.azstarnet.com ®

This is a really good article. A must read

Guest Opinion: Give multiple sclerosis the attention it deserves www.azstarnet.com ®