Laquinimod targets immune cells to increase neuroprotection

[MSUK]

Laquinimod is an orally available synthetic compound that has been successfully evaluated in phase II/III clinical studies for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

The mechanism of action of laquinimod has not been fully elucidated, but a study published in the January 2012 issue of The American Journal of Pathology suggests that laquinimod triggers immune cells within the central nervous system to produce and release brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), contributing to the repair or survival of neurons and thus limiting brain damage.

"Our data are indicative of a direct and sustained effect of laquinimod on the up-regulation of bioactive BDNF in patients with RRMS. Additionally, we demonstrate that laquinimod targets monocytes and skews the phagocyte population towards a regulatory phenotype, which in turn mediates immune modulation in vivo," explained Jan Thöne, MD, of the Department of Neurology at St. Josef-Hospital Bochum and Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1735

[Luongo]

I thought laquinimod had been suspended for failing to surpass placebo results.

[MSUK]

It has, but the research is ongoing even so.

[HarryZ]

I thought laquinimod had been suspended for failing to surpass placebo results.

Since the drug didn't meet statistical significance in the trials, the FDA wasn't going to approve it for MS use. Teva, the manufacturer, decided not to proceed with an approval request because they knew what the outcome would be.

But having followed MS research for many years, I am not surprised that they have continued to conduct further research. Successful drug approval in the world of MS medicine means huge revenue potential. If your drug doesn't quite make it at first, do more research, massage the data with more trials and work it until that approval gets obtained.

Harry