Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:01 pm
Based on this info, I will add Helminths to the phase II portion of the pipeline. I know Bob mentioned that the FDA was stalling this trial a few months back, but I'll add it anyway.
John O. Fleming, MD
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Term/Amount: 4/1/05-3/31/07; $358,660
“Helminth-induced immunomodulation therapy (HINT) in relapsing-remitting MS”
A novel, pilot clinical trial testing whether ingestion of worm eggs has the potential to alter the immune attack in MS.
Scientists have noted that autoimmune diseases and allergies are less common in underdeveloped regions. Some researchers have noted that early exposure to common infectious agents, such as occurs to people in less developed regions, may stimulate the immune regulation in a positive way and aid healthy immune responses. Because MS is more prevalent in regions with high standards of hygiene, researchers are testing the idea that lack of exposure to common innocuous agents may cause the immune system to over-react and cause MS.
Studies in MS-like disease in lab rodents and preliminary clinical trials in Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease of the bowel, suggest that eating eggs from the harmless parasitic worm (called helminth) might alter immune attacks and improve these conditions. Based on these and other studies, John Fleming, MD, is conducting a small clinical trial to test the potential of oral helminth eggs for improving relapsing-remitting MS. After the innocuous eggs are ingested in a sports drink, they hatch into larvae. When they reach the large intestine, the larvae interact with the immune system and are then killed. This interaction may have a positive impact on immune responses. Dr. Fleming’s team is using MRI and other testing protocols over ten months of treatment to determine whether participants show any signs of benefit.
This cutting-edge research should provide important information as to whether this unique therapy has the potential to benefit those with MS.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research-fleming.asp
John O. Fleming, MD
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Term/Amount: 4/1/05-3/31/07; $358,660
“Helminth-induced immunomodulation therapy (HINT) in relapsing-remitting MS”
A novel, pilot clinical trial testing whether ingestion of worm eggs has the potential to alter the immune attack in MS.
Scientists have noted that autoimmune diseases and allergies are less common in underdeveloped regions. Some researchers have noted that early exposure to common infectious agents, such as occurs to people in less developed regions, may stimulate the immune regulation in a positive way and aid healthy immune responses. Because MS is more prevalent in regions with high standards of hygiene, researchers are testing the idea that lack of exposure to common innocuous agents may cause the immune system to over-react and cause MS.
Studies in MS-like disease in lab rodents and preliminary clinical trials in Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune disease of the bowel, suggest that eating eggs from the harmless parasitic worm (called helminth) might alter immune attacks and improve these conditions. Based on these and other studies, John Fleming, MD, is conducting a small clinical trial to test the potential of oral helminth eggs for improving relapsing-remitting MS. After the innocuous eggs are ingested in a sports drink, they hatch into larvae. When they reach the large intestine, the larvae interact with the immune system and are then killed. This interaction may have a positive impact on immune responses. Dr. Fleming’s team is using MRI and other testing protocols over ten months of treatment to determine whether participants show any signs of benefit.
This cutting-edge research should provide important information as to whether this unique therapy has the potential to benefit those with MS.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research-fleming.asp