New Pathways Magazine On The Web

Many of you will already subscribe to New Pathways, our exciting magazine written by people affected by MS for people affected by MS. What you may not know is that New Pathways is available not only as a magazine but also as an audio CD, together with the printed copy, at no extra charge (UK only). As part of MSRC’s ongoing commitment to providing information in a variety of modern formats, the audio versions of the magazine are now available to listen to or download online from our website.

To make use of this innovative new service, please visit the MSRC website and go to the MSRC New Pathways Magazine Audio Downloads page at http://tinyurl.com/5drglx. The downloadable PDF versions of the magazine can be found at http://tinyurl.com/6eakn9. Anyone is welcome to download copies of these audio and PDF files however if you do want to use the article elsewhere we do require you to seek permission and credit the piece accordingly.

If you do not already subscribe to New Pathways but think you would like to, please ring the MSRC office on 01206 505444 and for a minimum donation of £15 per year (within the UK) New Pathways will be delivered to your home or workplace in a plain envelope 6 times a year.

New Pathways now goes to 26 countries. If you would like to receive New Pathways magazine direct to your door, outside the UK, you can call us on +44 1206 505444 and pay by debit or credit card or e-mail us at info@msrc.co.uk.

Squiffy
MSRC Website Manager

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. has completed an internal assessment of data from its Phase I/II two year extension study with Tovaxin in patients with MS. While confirming the favorable safety and efficacy profile of Tovaxin, further analysis also confirms both the benefit of consecutive annual treatments with Tovaxin and the advantage of tailoring each vaccination to the patient's changing disease profile.
The extension study evaluated 22 intent-to-treat patients that had enrolled in two Phase I/II open-label clinical studies with Tovaxin. 13 patients were enrolled with Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and 9 with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS). After the first annual course of treatment the company conducted an analysis of each patient's specific disease profile and myelin peptide epitope profile using Opexa's proprietary Epitope Analysis Assay (EAA). The analysis showed that 19 of the 22 patients (86%) had undergone an epitope shift, or change in disease pattern since the original course of treatment. Based on the epitope analysis, Opexa manufactured a new and specific vaccine for each of these patients for their second course of treatment. This enabled Opexa to tailor each vaccine to the individual's current disease profile, thereby maximizing the effect................

For the full report please go to MSRC: MS Research News : Drugs : Tovaxin - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1312

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation announced the two-year anniversary of TYSABRI(R) (natalizumab) as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), marking the reintroduction of the product in the United States (US) and the first international approval. The companies estimate that as of the end of June 2008, more than 31,800 patients worldwide are receiving TYSABRI treatment. Specifically, as of the end of June 2008:
-- In the US, more than 17,800 patients are on TYSABRI commercially and more than 3,100 physicians have prescribed the therapy;
-- Outside of the US, nearly 13,400 patients are on TYSABRI commercially;
-- In global clinical trials, more than 600 patients are on TYSABRI; and,
-- There have been no confirmed cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) since re-launch in the US and the first international approval in July 2006.
Cumulatively, in the combined clinical trial and post-marketing settings:
-- More than 43,300 patients have been treated with TYSABRI; and
-- Of those patients, nearly 13,900 have received at least one year of TYSABRI therapy and approximately 6,600 patients have been on therapy for 18 months or longer.
"Since beginning TYSABRI therapy more than 18 months ago, I have experienced an improvement in my life and how I go about living with my MS every day," said patient Patricia Substelny. "The benefits have been significant in terms of reducing the number of exacerbations I have experienced. I can now confidently work in my garden, cook for my family and friends, and enjoy what life has to offer. I feel very fortunate to have TYSABRI as an option to help me manage my MS."
In the two years since reintroduction in the US and the first international approval, the data continue to demonstrate the benefits of TYSABRI treatment for patients with relapsing forms of MS. Data showed that TYSABRI treatment significantly increases the proportion of patients with MS considered to be disease free, according to post-hoc analyses of Phase III clinical trials presented at this year's American Academy of Neurology annual meeting. In addition, new data from a patient-reported outcomes survey was presented at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers annual meeting showing that after only three months of treatment with TYSABRI, some patients reported improvements in overall quality of life, disease level, functional status and MS symptoms....................

For the full report please go to MSRC: MS Research News : Drugs : Disease Modifying Drugs : Disease Modifying Drugs Ongoing News : TYSABRI® - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1905

A researcher at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory has pinpointed stem cells within the spinal cord that, if persuaded to differentiate into more healing cells and fewer scarring cells following an injury, may lead to a new, non-surgical treatment for debilitating spinal-cord injuries. The work, reported in the July issue of the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) Biology, is by Konstantinos Meletis, a postdoctoral fellow at the Picower Institute, and colleagues at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Their results could lead to drugs that might restore some degree of mobility to the 30,000 people worldwide afflicted each year with spinal-cord injuries.
In a developing embryo, stem cells differentiate into all the specialized tissues of the body. In adults, stem cells act as a repair system, replenishing specialized cells, but also maintaining the normal turnover of regenerative organs such as blood, skin or intestinal tissues.
The tiny number of stem cells in the adult spinal cord proliferate slowly or rarely, and fail to promote regeneration on their own. But recent experiments show that these same cells, grown in the lab and returned to the injury site, can restore some function in paralyzed rodents and primates................

For the full report please go to MSRC: MS Research News : Stem Cell Research & Treatment : General Stem Cell Research : Neural Stem Cells - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1826

The CUPID (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease) study at the Peninsula Medical School has reached an important milestone with the news that the full cohort of 493 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been recruited to the programme.

CUPID is a clinical trial part-funded by the MS Society, which will evaluate whether tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the main active ingredient in the cannabis plant and one of many compounds found in the organism - is able to slow the progression of MS.

It is an important study for people with MS, because current treatments either target the immune system in the early stages of MS, or ease specific symptoms such as muscle spasms or bladder problems................

For the full report please go to MSRC: MS Research News : Drugs : Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1815