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Now that we are well into 2008, I was wondering what people thought is the hotest topic now in MS? I.E. the MS medical news that will be big in 2008? Where are we headed in 2008 with MS research? Lots of questions, few answers from me.

There is a teleconference being hosted by a neurologist from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale on January 29th. I just called the following number and registered to participate in the program. He should be up to date on the latest research and treatments.

The teleconference lasts 1 1/2 hours.

gwa

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/93869.php

Research Update: A Teleconference. On Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m., the Arizona Chapter is hosting a free teleconference to discuss current research being conducted towards the cure and treatment of MS. Participants will hear from Dr. Dean Wingerchuk of the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. Participants can take part in this program from the comfort of their own home. All that is needed is a touch-tone phone.

To register for a program, please contact the National MS Society, Arizona Chapter, by calling 1-800-344-4867. More information can also be found online at http://aza.nationalMSsociety.org.

Dave,

My guess is that the following research areas might move forward in 2008:

- Role of B cells in MS (we should see data from the Rituximab PPMS and RRMS trials).

- More data from the various trials where RRMS is treated aggressively early on (Campath / Mitoxantrone).

- Early data from some of the trials testing drugs for their neuro-protective benefits e.g Lamotrigine.

- More research results on whether EBV is involved in MS.

- ?Perhaps some early indications of efficacy from bone marrow stem cell trials.

- More on MS genes (from the various genome scans).

- Some of the newer / more advanced MRI scanners coming into service should provide better info on what's going on.

Sorry for the long list, but the research / trials cover so many areas.


Ian

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Hi GWA,

gwa wrote:To register for a program, please contact the National MS Society, Arizona Chapter, by calling 1-800-344-4867. More information can also be found online at http://aza.nationalMSsociety.org.

Thanks for the mention of this teleconference. It sounds interesting. Here's a direct link to the National MS Society's page for the teleconference.

NHE

Regarding trials reporting results in 2008, I think Bromley hit on a few of the key ones, but I looked a bit through the phase 2 list to see what studies might wrap up thsi year. As mentioned, the PPMS phase 2/3 for rituxan should report this year, and if the results are good, that would be the biggest news in MS research since interferon was approved back in the early 1990s. Also mentioned by Bromley, the lamotrigine trial to stop progression could also be big news this year.

Other trials that might be reporting in 2008 are: ATL1102 (same target as Tysabri), daclizumab (reported decent interim results last year), pravastatin (should have wrapped up last year, but I can't find any info), LDN (study in California is done I think, we're just waiting for results), topamax with avonex, albuterol with copaxone, and last but not least and I can't believe I'm bringing this up and not somebody actually taking it, the tovaxin trial should end in September (or do I have my dates wrong?), so we could hear something before year-end.

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I think the hottest topic for 2008 will be researching ms from a mind-body point of view. Today's medicine is too focused on just the body.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.htm

I guess researchers will have to change a bit the MS animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). It can be the reason why they still can´t meet more efficient medication of MS... The first laboratory tests are done on a wrong model...
Is there anyone all over the world who tries to put the EAE more closely to the real MS? Has anyone already explained why animals haven´t been facing MS, althought they´ve been facing cancer and other civilizing deseases?

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Not sure if we can expect to see results from the high dose cyclophosphamide phase-III trials in 2008 - if so, this might be big as well.
On clinicaltrials.gov I only found a phase-II study currently recruiting - does anyone know why the phase-III trial is not listed?
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/ ... sis&rank=2

--Frank

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Hi Bob,

a note from August 2007 about the planed phase-III trial can be found here:
http://www.fdanews.com/newsletter/artic ... ueId=10516

--Frank

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My vote for 2008...
Neuroplasticity!!!

http://www.normandoidge.com/

way cool,
AC