Multiple Sclerosis News and Research

Latest Multiple Sclerosis News and Research

New strategy can reactivate genes that cause cancer tumors to shrink and die

A team of scientists has developed a promising new strategy for "reactivating" genes that cause cancer tumors to shrink and die. The researchers hope that their discovery will aid in the development of an innovative anti-cancer drug that effectively targets unhealthy, cancerous tissue without damaging healthy, non-cancerous tissue and vital organs.

22 May 2012

Data from Janssen’s SIMPONI Phase 3 study on ulcerative colitis

New study findings presented today show that subcutaneous induction regimens of the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy SIMPONI (golimumab) induced clinical response in a majority of patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who had previously failed or were intolerant to conventional agents.

22 May 2012

Opexa's Tovaxin for MS is now Tcelna

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), announced today that the Company is rebranding its leading MS therapy with the new name Tcelna. The product, previously known as Tovaxin, will now be known as Tcelna as the company positions itself towards the treatment of patients with Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS).

21 May 2012

Growth promoting substance in human mesenchymal stem cells spurs restoration of nerves

A substance in human mesenchymal stem cells that promotes growth appears to spur restoration of nerves and their function in rodent models of multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found.

21 May 2012

Ipsen, Active Biotech complete half of planned recruitment in tasquinimod phase III study for CRPC

Active Biotech and Ipsen today announced that recruitment to the global, pivotal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study of tasquinimod in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has reached an inclusion of 600 patients, half of the planned accrual.

21 May 2012

Scientists show positive results with human MSCs in animal models of MS

The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) today announced the results of a new peer-reviewed research study published in Nature Neuroscience that demonstrates functional improvement in immune response modulation and myelin repair with factors derived from mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment in animal models of multiple sclerosis.

21 May 2012

Receptos to present scientific podium presentation about RPC1063 at DDW 2012

Receptos Inc. today announced that company personnel will deliver a scientific podium presentation about RPC1063 at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) annual meeting at 9 a.m. PDT on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. DDW attracts thousands of physicians, researchers, and academics from around the world to share the latest research in gastrointestinal health topics, for which DDW is the premier scientific conference.

19 May 2012

Large survey of genetic variation offers insights into human diseases

A large survey of human genetic variation, published today in the online version of the journal Science, shows that rare genetic variants are not so rare after all and offers insights into human diseases.

19 May 2012

Ipsen, Active Biotech to present data from tasquinimod phase II trial on CRPC at ASCO 2012

Active Biotech and Ipsen will present tasquinimod (TASQ), their prostate cancer drug candidate, at the scientific conference "2012 ASCO Annual Meeting" to be held in Chicago (USA) on 1-5 June 2012.

18 May 2012

Pharmos completes levotofisopam phase 2a trial on hyperuricemia, gout

Pharmos Corporation announced that it has successfully completed a proof-of-concept clinical trial using its compound levotofisopam (S-tofisopam) to treat patients with hyperuricemia and gout.

18 May 2012

Medgenics’ EPODURE receives FDA clearance to proceed into clinical trials

Medgenics, Inc., developer of the novel Biopump technology for the sustained production and delivery of therapeutic proteins in patients using their own tissue, today announced receipt of clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to proceed with a Phase IIb clinical trial of EPODURE for the treatment of anemia in patients undergoing renal dialysis.

18 May 2012

Head impacts may worsen contact sport athletes’ ability to acquire new information

A new study suggests that head impacts experienced during contact sports such as football and hockey may worsen some college athletes' ability to acquire new information. The research is published in the May 16, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 May 2012

Biogen Idec announces availability of two new AVONEX dosing innovations for MS

Biogen Idec announced that two new dosing innovations designed to help patients receiving once-a-week AVONEX (interferon beta-1a) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are now available in U.S. pharmacies.

15 May 2012

Smoked cannabis may be an effective treatment for spasticity

A clinical study of 30 adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has shown that smoked cannabis may be an effective treatment for spasticity - a common and disabling symptom of this neurological disease.

15 May 2012

FDA clears Bioness smaller leg cuff for use with L300 Foot Drop System

Bioness Inc. today announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a smaller leg cuff for use with the company's L300 Foot Drop System.

14 May 2012

FDA warns about 'liberation therapy' for multiple sclerosis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and patients about injuries and death associated with the use of an experimental procedure sometimes called "liberation therapy" or the "liberation procedure" to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

11 May 2012

Glial cells pass on metabolites to neurons

Around 100 billion neurons in the human brain enable us to think, feel and act. They transmit electrical impulses to remote parts of the brain and body via long nerve fibres known as axons. This communication requires enormous amounts of energy, which the neurons are thought to generate from sugar. Axons are closely associated with glial cells which, on the one hand, surround them with an electrically insulating myelin sheath and, on the other hand support their long-term function.

11 May 2012

Misdiagnosis of MS more common than previously thought

It is relatively common for doctors to diagnose someone with multiple sclerosis when the patient doesn't have the disease - a misdiagnosis that not only causes patients potential harm but costs the U.S. health care system untold millions of dollars a year, according to a study published online today in the journal Neurology.

10 May 2012

EU and U.S. regulatory authorities accept Biogen Idec’s BG-12 NDA for review

Today Biogen Idec announced that U.S. and EU regulatory authorities have accepted the company's marketing applications for the review of BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate), an oral therapeutic candidate for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

10 May 2012

Grade 12 researcher wins top honors at 2012 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada

An Ontario girl, 16, who invented a disease-fighting, anti-aging compound using nano-particles from trees, won top national honours today in the 2012 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada.

9 May 2012