Striking a nerve: progressive MS still enigmatic

[MSUK]

With the recent approvals of several oral drugs to reduce disease flares in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the top researchers agree that the next major frontier is the disease's progressive forms.

But, on the basis of presentations and discussions at last week's annual meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), progressive MS now stands at about the same place that relapsing-remitting MS stood 3 decades ago -- that is, still many years away from an effective therapy or even a solid understanding of its pathophysiology....... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/MStypes

[HarryZ]

With the recent approvals of several oral drugs to reduce disease flares in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the top researchers agree that the next major frontier is the disease's progressive forms.

But, on the basis of presentations and discussions at last week's annual meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), progressive MS now stands at about the same place that relapsing-remitting MS stood 3 decades ago -- that is, still many years away from an effective therapy or even a solid understanding of its pathophysiology....... Read More - http://www.ms-uk.org/MStypes

Next major frontier??!! It sounds like the researchers/drug companies are pleased with their efforts to date and with the orals, have a new market to "soak" MS patients. One only need look at the price of the orals which don't reflect at all their real cost. The price levels are based on marketing and what big pharma feels the insurance companies will pay.

Don't forget, the different "kinds" of MS were dictated by the drug companies so they could choose patients with minor disease activity in order to make the results of clinical trials appear very good. Prior to this, MS was MS with no different levels. Can you imagine the trial results in the 90's if they chose patients at random without classifying them?

So now the docs are progressing to the next frontier on a disease they still haven't found a cause!! Amazing!

Harry

[CureOrBust]

...progressive MS now stands at about the same place that relapsing-remitting MS stood 3 decades ago -- that is, still many years away from an effective therapy or even a solid understanding of its pathophysiology...

ummm ... I would of said that RRMS is "still many years away from an effective therapy or even a solid understanding of its pathophysiology"

[HarryZ]

ummm ... I would of said that RRMS is "still many years away from an effective therapy or even a solid understanding of its pathophysiology"

More like the truth but not very good for marketing and sales!

Harry

[cheerleader]

What was most interesting to me was that the researchers are admitting they really don't understand MS progression.
And as Dr. Peter Stys would say, that's because they don't understand MS at all, and are "barking up the wrong tree."
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... 22388.html

The "big stories" in MS treatment out of ECTRIMS (that were picked up by the press) were all "alternative."
Vitamin D levels matter, exercise is important and beneficial, and too much salt and processed foods are bad.
This is is HUGE shift from when I first started following ECTRIMS meetings and research seven years ago on this forum.
We got a big eyeroll from the neuro when we asked her about lifestyle, exercise, nutrition and vitamin D level monitoring. But he's still biking, skiing, and working--with no MS progression (7 years later)
http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/search?q= ... connection

ironic,
cheer