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I posted a radio broadcast with Prof Freedman where he mentioned that FTY720 might, in addition to reducing damage, actually stimulate some repair. This article from the Accelerated Cure Project website provides some further details.

Ian

http://www.acceleratedcure.org:8080/node/2840

Very interesting. Dr Freedman did not get to study this drug. I am sure he is biting his fingers now. I don't mean to be mean but he did not help me connect with someone who did (study this drug) and that person was in the same city!! a competitor you see....

These are all good news for us. I really hope that we will all have access to something great and soon too! Carole

"Sustains and restores"--I like the sound of that!


FTY720 sustains and restores neuronal function in the DA rat model of MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Brain Res Bull. 2007 Oct 19;74(5):307-16

Authors: Balatoni B, Storch MK, Swoboda EM, Schönborn V, Koziel A, Lambrou GN, Hiestand PC, Weissert R, Foster CA

FTY720 (fingolimod) is an oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator under development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). To elucidate its effects in the central nervous system (CNS), we compared functional parameters of nerve conductance in the DA rat model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) after preventive and therapeutic treatment. We demonstrate that prophylactic therapy protected against the emergence of EAE symptoms, neuropathology, and disturbances to visual and somatosensory evoked potentials (VEP, SEP). Moreover, therapeutic treatment from day 25 to 45 markedly reversed paralysis in established EAE and normalized the electrophysiological responses, correlating with decreased demyelination in the brain and spinal cord. The effectiveness of FTY720 in this model is likely due to several contributing factors. Evidence thus far supports its role in the reduction of inflammation and preservation of blood-brain-barrier integrity. FTY720 may also act via S1P receptors in glial cells to promote endogenous repair mechanisms that complement its immunomodulatory action.

PMID: 17845905 [PubMed - in process]

wow, it sounds too good to be true, I can't wait to get the real thing!

Hi All:

I've been asked to participate in a phase 3 trial for this drug (CFTY720). I said yes. Now I'm looking for potential side effects. My neuro said I will have to spend 24 hrs in the hospital after I take my first pill because it has been known to slow down your heart rate. Interestingly, this only happens with the first pill? I guess I should get my house in order before I go in.

Has anyone heard of any other down sides? She also told me the phase 2 trials lasted 2 yrs vs the 6 month tysabri phase 2 trial.

Mick

Mick,

The ECTRIMS annual meeting (MS researchers meeting) takes place in early October and there will be several presentations about the trials of this drug (either Dignan or I will post the summaries on this site).

Don't worry too much about the downsides / side-effects. MS comes with some pretty bad downsides and side-effects.

Best of luck if you decide to participate and I hope that if you do (i) you get the real thing and (ii) you see some real benefits.


Ian

Hi Mickb,
They kept me under observation for only 8 hrs after the first dose.
The other inconveniences about the trial is that they do a funny eye test to inspect your macula , looking for macular edema, which is one of the possible side-effects. As with any trial, they do run a battery of tests on you but all for a good reason.
I will be done with the study in Dec'08.
So, if you choose to participate, I sure hope you get the real thing and that you do well. Someone here one this site, is on the real thing and is doing very well. i.e. better than before.
Take care all, Carole

Mick, check out pages 16 and 17 of 29 in this document:

http://www.sven-meuth.de/Files/pdf/P15.pdf

There is a brief section on FTY720 that summarizes trial results and touches on potential concerns.

Hi Ian, Carole, and dignan:

Thanks for the replys,

I checked out the links digan supplied. It seems reasonable for me to try. I was also considering ldn but I'm not sure how I would handle pain. I currently take tramodul but I don't think it's advisable to take any form of narcotic while on ldn. I got a script for the ldn anyway.

thanks again for the posts.

Mick