Long Time, No Post

Sorry for the recent delay in posting.  I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!  My whole family got together which was great!  I have kept very busy lately, so I haven't had many chances to get on here to post.  Also, our computer got a virus, so we had to fix that before I could post.

And now, some news from the NMSS website:

The company Opexa Therapeutics (The Woodlands, TX) announced that the experimental therapy Tovaxin® has been designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a “Fast Track Product” for the treatment of secondary-progressive MS. Tovaxin is a personalized vaccine that aims to induce immunity against T cells that attack the brain and spinal cord in MS. It uses a person’s own immune cells, which are removed, manipulated, and then reintroduced by under the skin injections. The Fast Track designation may expedite its future review by the FDA after the company submits results of future phase III trials. The company is planning to begin a Phase IIb clinical trial of Tovaxin in secondary-progressive MS “subject to securing the necessary resources,” according to a November 8, 2011 press release.
Results so far: A one-year, multi-center trial of Tovaxin was conducted in 140 people with relapsing-remitting MS and 10 people who had experienced a neurological episode that put them at possible risk for being diagnosed with MS. The TERMS study found Tovaxin to be safe, but did not achieve statistical significance in the primary endpoint evaluating the cumulative number of active MRI lesions in those on active therapy versus those on placebo (Multiple Sclerosis, published online November 6). Analyzing a subset of participants after the study, investigators found that Tovaxin stabilized or reduced disability as measured by the EDSS scale, and the average number of relapses in a year.
Tovaxin is a trademark of Opexa Pharmaceutics.

This is VERY exciting because its focus is secondary-progressive MS rather than relapsing-remitting, which is what most therapies treat. Another article off of the NMSS website:

Genzyme has announced that the experimental intravenous therapy alemtuzumab (with a proposed brand name Lemtrada™) met two primary endpoints by significantly reducing relapse rates and the worsening of disability in a two-year study comparing alemtuzumab to standard subcutaneous dosing of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a, EMD Serono Inc. and Pfizer). The study, called CARE-MS II, involved 840 people with relapsing-remitting MS. The results were announced in a November 14, 2011 press release, which also indicated that the company plans to apply in early 2012 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval. Data analysis is ongoing and the company expects to provide a full report at an upcoming medical meeting. Alemtuzumab has been designated by the FDA as a “Fast Track Product,” which should expedite its future review.
Background: MS involves immune system attacks against brain and spinal cord tissues. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at CD52 (a protein on the surface of immune cells) that is currently approved for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its ability to target immune cells led investigators to test its potential as a treatment for relapsing-remitting MS. In an earlier phase II study comparing two dose levels of alemtuzumab with Rebif in 334 subjects with relapsing-remitting MS, those taking alemtuzumab had a 74% reduction in the risk of MS relapse compared with those on Rebif, and a 71% reduction in the risk for sustained worsening of disability (New England Journal of Medicine 2008 359;17:30-45).
Dosing was temporarily suspended in the Phase II study due to the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a rare condition in which low blood platelet counts can lead to abnormal bleeding. After the first cases of ITP occurred, one of which was fatal, Genzyme implemented a patient safety monitoring program which includes patient and physician education and regular contacts with patients.
Investigators recently reported on another phase III trial of alemtuzumab. The two-year CARE-MS-I phase III trial compared alemtuzumab against Rebif in 581 people with early relapsing-remitting MS. The study met one of two primary endpoints by reducing relapse rates by 55% over Rebif, but did not meet its second primary endpoint of slowing disease progression compared to Rebif. (Abstract #151, ECTRIMS 2011)
This Study: In the CARE-MS II study, 840 people with relapsing-remitting MS, who had experienced relapse while on a prior therapy, were randomly assigned to receive alemtuzumab or Rebif. Alemtuzumab was given by intravenous infusion for 5 days initially and for 3 days one year later. Those on Rebif received the standard dose of 3-times weekly subcutaneous injections. According to the company press release, after two years the relapse rate of those on alemtuzumab was reduced by 49% compared to those on Rebif, and the risk of sustained worsening of disability (as measured by the EDSS scale) was reduced by 42% compared to Rebif. (These were the primary endpoints of the study.)
According to the press release, approximately 16% of those treated with alemtuzumab developed autoimmune thyroid-related problems and approximately 1% developed ITP. All cases were detected early through a monitoring program and managed with conventional therapies. Other common adverse events associated with alemtuzumab included reactions associated with infusions (such as headache, rash, fever, flushing, hives and chills). The most common infections in those treated with alemtuzumab (all mild to moderate) were upper respiratory and urinary tract infections, sinusitis and herpes simplex infections.
Comment: The completion of this second Phase III trial of alemtuzumab is a milestone that paves the way for the company to apply to the FDA for marketing approval. Full details and evaluation of this study should help define the safety and promise of alemtuzumab as a potential new therapy for relapsing MS.

Love the ongoing research; I remain optimistic that a cure will come in my lifetime!  So many advances have been made in just the past decade alone!