Blog: Research

Rituximab beneficial in secondary progressive MS

16 January 2019

Source Medicalxpress: For patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), treatment with rituximab is associated with a significantly lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and delayed progression, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in JAMA Neurology.

Yvonne Naegelin, M.D., from the University of Basel in Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from patients with SPMS at three multiple sclerosis centers from...

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Ocrelizumab Reduces Progression of Upper Extremity Impairment in Primary Progressive MS

16 January 2019

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source AJMC: For patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), upper extremity (UE) impairment is not uncommon. Although patients across MS types report impaired UE function, patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) tend to have a higher prevalence of UE dysfunction and greater impairment.

A new study compared ocrelizumab with placebo in patients with PPMS to examine the effects of the therapy on confirmed progression and confirmed improvement in UE impairment. The results were published...

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MS: Immune cells from the gut reduce brain inflammation

16 January 2019

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source Medical News Today: A type of immune cell that migrates from the gut to the brain appears to reduce inflammation in multiple sclerosis, according to recent research.

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NICE pauses final decision on ocrelizumab for primary progressive MS

2 November 2018

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source MS Trust: NICE has announced that it is pausing the publication of final guidance for ocrelizumab for primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

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Physical Activity Decreases Vascular Comorbidities in Multiple Sclerosis

19 October 2018

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source Neurology Advisor: Increased levels of physical activity may lead to decreased vascular risk profiles in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a literature review published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

Researchers in this review searched for published articles in 5 major databases for studies involving physical activity, sedentary lifestyles, or exercise training and the impact these factors have on vascular comorbidities in patients with multiple...

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Novartis bets priority review voucher on its next big multiple sclerosis drug — eyes US, EU approvals in ’19

10 October 2018

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source Endpoints News: One of Novartis’ top late-stage candidates for multiple sclerosis is now under review on both sides of the Atlantic.

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Novartis files MS drug siponimod in EU and US

10 October 2018

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source PharmaTimes: "Siponimod is the first investigational medicine to show a significant delay in disability progression in typical SPMS patients," said Paul Hudson, chief executive of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "We are closely working with the FDA and EMA to ensure siponimod is available for patients as soon as possible."

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Encouraging news for people with primary or secondary progressive MS

3 October 2018

Pippa Vincent-Cooke

Source F1000 Prime: Fox et al. present the results of the eagerly awaited SPRINT-MS trial – a multi-centre phase II double blinded placebo controlled study of ibudilast in decreasing brain atrophy in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).