Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease. When MS occurs, the body attacks
and destroys the insulation around the nerves, spinal cord and brain. This insulation layer is called myelin.
For many years, MS patients had few treatments available to
them. Researchers at Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine reported new research findings June
2013. Phase one of a clinical trial
treated a small group of MS patients with excellent results. These patients had blood drawn off, the white
blood cells were treated to carry billions of myelin antigens, and the blood
was returned to the patients.
Researchers were hoping the treated white blood cells would “teach the
body to stop attacking myelin.” This
phase one clinical trial was considered a huge success as the patient’s MS
symptoms did not get worse during the six-month followup. The other exciting part of this new potential
treatment is that it doesn’t lessen the patient’s immune system and its ability
to fight “non-self” as some previous treatments have done. These researchers are planning the next step:
a larger, phase two clinical trial. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/06/medical-breakthrough-for-multiple-sclerosis-sufferers/
Another article which talks about the new MS trial can be
found at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine website at http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/news/2013/06/ms_breakthrough.html?utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Slideshow&utm_content=Multiple%2BSclerosis%2BBreakthrough&utm_campaign=FSM%2BSlideshow This article speculates that this technology
may bring new treatments to other autoimmune diseases. Keep your eyes open for this promising
breakthrough. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130524104054.htm
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