TREATMENT

As you know, there is no cure, yet. There are many studies going on and the results
are very promising. They are getting closing to better understand the disease and thus
design a cure.

There are six drugs approved for the treatment of the relapsing-remitting forms of MS.

Avonex®, Betaseron®, Copaxone®, Rebif® and Tysabri® are considered
disease-modulating drugs. They help control the symptoms and some of them have
recently shown certain positive effect that results in a slow repair of the affected nerve.
The one to use depends on your doctor's decision on what could work better for you.

Avonex® (interferon beta 1-a) manufactured by Biogen Idec, is administer by
intramuscular injection once a week. It has shown to reduce the severity and
frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain.

Betaseron® (interferon beta 1-b) manufactured by Berlex Laboratories, Inc., is
administer by subcutaneous (underneath the skin) injection every other day. It has
shown to reduce the severity and frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions
(active or new) in the brain.

Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate) manufactured by TEVA Neuroscience, Inc., is
administer every day by subcutaneous injection. It has shown to reduce the frequency
of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain.

Rebif® (interferon beta 1-a) manufactured by Serono, Inc., is administer three times a
week by subcutaneous injection. It has shown to reduce the frequency of MS attacks
and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain and may slow progression of
disability.

Tysabri® (natalizumab) manufactured by Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals, by iv
infusion every four weeks. Tysabri is generally recommended for patients who have
had inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, other approved MS therapies. It
is approved as a monotherapy, not to be combined with other immune
system-modifying agents, and is not recommended for individuals who have
weakened immune systems. It was first withdrawn after three patients developed a
serious viral infection of the brain. It is approved to be use with a special restricted
distribution program
See questions and answers on Tysabri from NMSS website:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/tysabri_qanda.asp

Novantrone® (mitoxantrone) manufactured by Serono, Inc., is administered four times
a year by IV infusion in a medical facility. It is powerful immune system suppressor
approved to be used in worsening relapsing-remitting ms as well as secondary
progressive MS and all progressive forms of the MS. It has shown to reduce the
frequency of MS attacks and reduce the lesions (active or new) in the brain and may
slow progression of disability.

Besides the disease-modifying drugs, there are other therapies available for specific
symptoms like fatigue, pain, depression, spasticity, occupational therapy (for work)
and cognitive therapy (for memory problems) among others. You should talk to your
doctor to coordinate the therapy that is appropriate for you.

Promising experimental therapies: See newest one on Latest News

3 de October de 2006

Fampridine

Acorda Therapeutics announced that the drug Fampridine showed promising results
en phase 3 of the clinical research with an improvement in the ability to walk and
muscular strength in people with MS. Fampridine is a drug that works by blocking the
sodium channels in the nerve fiber. The persons that participate in the study continue
to take their regular treatment with disease-modifying drugs (Betaseron, Copaxone,
Avonex and Rebif)The company is waiting for the FDA approval to market the drug.
For more information, you can call: 877-223-5212.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/research-2006Sep25.asp

Fingolimod

Results from Phase II with the drug named Fingolimod (FTY720 de Novartis
Pharmaceuticals), published in the New England Journal Of Medicine, showed a
decreased in the rate of exacerbations and inflammations, shown in the MRI, in
persons with MS. The daily oral drug blocks the autoimmune system in the body.
Phase III has started in 125 centers in the world.
http://www.mssociety.ca/en/research/medmmo_fingolimod_20060922.htm

Claribine

Serono (Geneve) announced that the FDA approved the oral drug Claribine for a fast
phase III. This means that if the therapy is safe and effective, the FDA can give faster
the approval for public use. This study is for 2 years and is actually recruiting patients
for the trial.
Drug information: www.clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00213135

Current clinical study information: www.theclaritystudy.com/nmso.

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Maria A Reyes-Velarde,
MD, MPH
hablemosdeem.comV

Treatments: Available and in research

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