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.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Welcome to the Rocky Mountain MS Center

Summary: Investigators worldwide are recruiting 1350 people with MS to study the safety and effectiveness of glatiramer acetate (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.). The current approved dose for glatiramer acetate is 20 mg per day delivered subcutaneously (under the skin), and this study is investigating the effectiveness of a higher dose, 40 mg, given less frequently (three times a week). The one-year study is funded by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., and is also called the GALA study.

Rationale: Glatiramer acetate is a synthetic protein that simulates myelin basic protein, a component of the myelin that insulates nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This therapy seems to block myelin-damaging T-cells through a mechanism that is not completely understood. Glatiramer acetate is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce the frequency of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting MS and for use in individuals who have experienced a first clinical episode (clinically-isolated syndrome) and have MRI features that are consistent with MS.

Eligibility and details: Participants should be 18 to 55 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS. Participants must be in a relapse-free, stable neurological condition for a minimum of 30 days, but have experienced at least one documented relapse in the past 12 months, two documented relapses in the past 24 months, or one documented relapse between 12 and 24 months with disease activity on MRI. Further details on enrollment criteria are available from the contact below.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either glatiramer acetate 40 mg or inactive placebo three times a week subcutaneously for 12 months. The primary endpoint being measured is the effectiveness in reducing the total number of relapses, and secondary endpoints being measured are new disease activity on MRI, cumulative disease activity on MRI, and brain tissue volume loss. Other endpoints under study include quality of life.

Contact: To learn more about the enrollment criteria for this study, and to find out if you are eligible to participate, please email UStevatrials@teva.co.il.

Sites are going to be recruiting in the following U.S. cities:

Akron, OH
Aurora, CO
Boulder, CO
Centennial, CO
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Detroit, MI
Fort Collins, CO
Fullerton, CA
Gilbert, AZ
Kirkland, WA
La Jolla, CA
Lenexa, KS
Lexington, KY
Lubbock, TX
Miami, FL
Naples, FL
Nashville, TN
Northbrook, IL
Oklahoma City, OK
Phoenix, AZ
Pompano Beach, FL
Ponte Verde, FL
Richmond, VA
Roanoke, VA
Round Rock, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX
Sarasota, FL
Shreveport, LA
Tampa, FL
Uniontown, OH
Vero Beach, FL
Vienna, VA

Click to download this as a PDF

Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center
8845 Wagner St. | Westminster, CO 80031
Posted by Steve at Thursday, March 10, 2011

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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.