This new treatment is intended for the progressive form of the disease, the symptoms of which are more difficult to treat. So far, no drug has been used to block its development.
Multiple sclerosis in its progressive form affects a small number of patients: according to Multiple Sclerosis Research Association (Arsep), 10 to 15% of patients are affected by this form of the disease, which is associated with greater disability and more pronounced symptoms. So far, no treatment has slowed the progression of this form of the disease, but American researchers have found an effective drug. They present the results of their work in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Myelin disease
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, which results in the immune system reacting against myelin, the white matter in the brain and spinal cord that protects nerve fibers. The disease is expressed in the form of relapses, more or less frequent. The majority of patients suffer from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, ten treatments can slow down or even stop the progression of this form of the disease.
A noticeable slowdown in the progression of the disease
NEW STUDY: A promising drug slows brain shrinkage in progressive #multiplesclerosis by nearly half.
Read about it: https://t.co/DaTmGTQ1Ri pic.twitter.com/Ptj5NTstJ2– ClevelandClinicNews (@CleClinicNews) August 29, 2018
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic tested the effectiveness of a drug called ibudilast, which has been used since 1989 to treat asthma and stroke in Japan. They discovered its effectiveness in the treatment of the progressive form of multiple sclerosis: it reduced the progression of the disease in patients by 48%, compared to a placebo.
To obtain these figures, they analyzed, over 96 weeks, brain atrophy in the 255 patients who participated in the trial. However, the treatment has side effects. It disrupts the gastrointestinal system, causes headaches and can be responsible for depression. Scientists will continue their research to improve the effectiveness of the drug: a phase 3 trial will soon be launched.
According to Arsep, around 100,000 people in France have multiple sclerosis. Each year, 5,000 new cases are diagnosed. 2.3 million people suffer from it worldwide.
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