Current Treatments
BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis

AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.

COPAXONE is the brand name for glatiramer acetate (formerly known as copolymer-1). Glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient of COPAXONE, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides, containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with an average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. The average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate is 5,000 – 9,000 daltons. Glatiramer acetate is identified by specific antibodies.

Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a purified 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of Rebif® is identical to that of natural fibroblast derived human interferon beta. Natural interferon beta and interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) are glycosylated with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety.

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody that affects the actions of the body's immune system. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage. Tysabri is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. 		Gilenya™ is a new class of medication called a phingosine 1-phosphate receptormodulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lympohcytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). Preventing the entry of these cells into the CNS reduces inflammatory damage to nerve cells.

Early Symptoms
The most common early symptoms of MS include:
* Tingling * Numbness
* Loss of balance
* Weakness in one or more limbs
* Blurred or double vision

Less common symptoms of MS may include
* Slurred speech
* Sudden onset of paralysis
* Lack of coordination
* Cognitive difficulties
Listed above, the early symptoms. I tend to be a poster child for these. The symptoms that occur later on are too numerous just to list. There will be a link included that will get you to a site where these symptoms are listed and explained. Keep in mind that someone may have some of these or many of these, there is no way to tell.
Multiple sclerosis statistics show that approximately 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. The life expectancy for people with multiple sclerosis is nearly the same as for those without MS. Because of this, multiple sclerosis statistics place the annual cost of MS in the United States in the billions of dollars. MS is five times more prevalent in temperate climates -- such as those found in the northern United States, Canada, and Europe -- than in tropical regions. Furthermore, the age of 15 seems to be significant in terms of risk for developing the disease. Some studies indicate that a person moving from a high-risk (temperate) to a low-risk (tropical) area before the age of 15 tends to adopt the risk (in this case, low) of the new area and vice versa. Other studies suggest that people moving after age 15 maintain the risk of the area where they grew up.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Nov 12, 2009 New Data Support Early Interferon Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

In a study of 2,570 people with MS, early treatment with interferon therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of MS progression. Maria Trojano, MD (University of Bari, Italy) and colleagues from 14 other Italian centers report their findings in Annals of Neurology. (2009;66(4):513-520)
Background: Currently six therapies are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MS. These agents can reduce future disease activity for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses. The National MS Society’s Medical Advisory Board recommends that initiating MS therapy with an immunomodulating drug (such as FDA-approved interferons or glatiramer acetate) should be considered as soon as possible following a definite diagnosis of MS with a relapsing course, and for selected patients with a first attack who are at high risk for MS. Some clinicians disagree, however, choosing to defer treatment until the extent of disease activity is more clearly established.
The Study: Dr. Trojano and colleagues at 15 Italian MS centers followed a group of 2,570 people with relapsing-remitting MS who were being treated with any type of interferon beta for up to seven years. Treatments included one of two dosing regimens of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a, EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc.), Avonex® (interferon beta-1a, Biogen Idec), and Betaferon® (European brand of Betaseron, interferon beta-1b, Bayer Schering Pharma AG).
The investigators recorded the dates of MS onset and treatment, and tracked disease progression every six months using the EDSS scale, which measures physical disability on a rating scale of 0 to 10. Early treatment was defined as less than or equal to one year from disease onset, and delayed treatment was defined as more than one year from MS onset.
After following individuals for a median of 4.5 years, and using statistical methods aimed at adjusting for potential biases, the investigators found that early treatment significantly reduced the risk of progressing one point on the EDSS scale compared to those whose treatment was delayed. Early treatment also reduced, by about 40%, the risk of progressing to an EDSS score of 4. (An EDSS score of 4 is defined as fully ambulatory and self-sufficient, despite severe disability in one system, such as visual or sensory systems, or less severe disability in a combination of systems). The interferons were not rated separately, so it is not known if one worked better than another.
Comment: “This large-scale study adds significant support to considering MS treatment as soon as possible following a diagnosis of probable or definite MS,” commented John R. Richert, MD, who heads research and clinical programs at the National MS Society.
There are many strategies available to modify the disease course, treat relapses, manage symptoms, and improve function and quality of life for people who have MS. Determining the best treatment options is a complex decision best made in collaboration between the person with MS and his or her neurologist. Read more about treatment options and the information and support available for people who are newly diagnosed with MS.
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Posted by Steve at Friday, December 18, 2009

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About Me

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North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States
Well-educated, disabled at this point with Multiple Sclerosis. I am very glad that I was able to do the things that I have been able to do over the years. had to change the picture, this one's more realistic.