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Early Detection of MS Treatment Complication May Improve Survival

The drug natalizumab is effective for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), but it increases the risk of a rare but potentially fatal brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). A study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013, suggests that early detection of PML may help improve survival and disability levels.

The study examined 319 people with MS who were treated with natalizumab and diagnosed with PML. Because of the risk of PML, people taking natalizumab are monitored by their physicians for possible symptoms of the brain infection. The study compared people who had symptoms of PML at the time of diagnosis to people who had no symptoms of the infection, but who were diagnosed with the disease by brain scans and tests in the spinal fluid for the virus that causes the infection. The level of disability for the people in the study was assessed before the PML diagnosis, at the time of diagnosis, and again six months and one year after the diagnosis... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/index.cfm/MSnews

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Biogen continues to try and minimize the dangers of PML for MS patients using Tysabri. Thus, another study to show that their data "suggests" early detection "may" help survival/recovery rates for anyone who ends up with the dreaded infection.

I suppose with so much revenue associated with this drug and oral competitors already on the market, it isn't surprising that their marketing/sales people are doing whatever it takes to keep sales as high as they can.

Harry