Stem Cell Transplant Trial Results - Comment By The Multiple Sclerosis Society

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Stem Cell Transplant Trial Results - Comment By The Multiple

Sclerosis Society

30 Jan 2009

Ahead of the publication on Friday 30 January of a paper in The

Lancet Neurology reporting the results of a trial involving stem cell

transplantation in people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

(MS), please find below a comment from the MS Society:

Dr Doug Brown, Research Manager at the MS Society, said: " These are

very encouraging results and it's exciting to see that in this trial

not only is progression of disability halted, but damage appears to

be reversed.

" Stem cells are showing more and more potential in the treatment of

MS and the challenge we now face is proving their effectiveness in

trials involving large numbers of people. "

Background:

- Trial also uses alemtuzumab, previously shown to halt and

potentially reverse disability so positive results may not be solely

from the use of stem cells

- Trial originators also confirmed larger study of more than 100 is

set to take place

- This further trial will distinguish what effect the use of

alemtuzumab has on the overall results

The MS Society is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting

everyone whose life is touched by MS, providing respite care, an

award-winning freephone helpline (0808 800 8000), specialist MS

nurses and funds around 50 vital MS research projects in the UK.

- Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological

disorder affecting young adults and an estimated 85,000 people in the

UK have MS.

- MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath

surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system - which

interferes with messages between the brain and the body. For some

people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while

for others it has a progressive pattern.

- Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression

and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.

The MS Society

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Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/137257.php