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ddeadred 
7:09pm
Merck: New pill may work for MS
LONDON – German drugmaker Merck Serono is one step closer to releasing the first pill to treat multiple sclerosis, the company said Friday. In a press statement, Merck said that patients taking cladribine tablets had a nearly 60 percent lower relapse rate than those on placebo pills. The two-year study included 1,326 MS patients who were randomly divided into three groups. Two groups received different doses of cladribine and one group received fake pills.
Patients on cladribine had up to a 60 percent reduced chance of having a relapse compared to patients on placebo. The study was paid for by Merck.
"This is promising news," said Dr. Lee Dunster, head of research for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United Kingdom. Dunster was not linked to the Merck study. He said cladribine appeared to be twice as effective as current primary treatments for MS.
Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological condition affecting young adults. It is the result of damage to myelin, the protective coating on nerve fibers of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, that interrupts the brain's messaging system to other parts of the body.
Patients with MS often suffer from fatigue, muscle spams, problems with vision, speech, coordination, and the bladder. Relapses are often unpredictable and there is no known cureCurrent treatments for MS must be given by injections and have varying success rates.
Cladribine is already used to treat leukemia, but only for short periods of time. Doctors said more information was needed about the potential side effects from taking the drug in the long term, since multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition.
Known side effects from cladribine include fatigue, an increased chance of infections, and anemia.
Merck has already asked American and European drug regulators to fast-track the drug to the market. In their press statement, Merck said they will submit cladribine for registration in the U.S. and Europe later this year.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG is also working on a pill to treat MS.
Though Merck's study showed that cladribine reduced the relapse rate, Dunster said the real question was whether the drug slowed the disease's progression. He expected that data to be released in the next few months.
"Relapses are not very nice things to have, but we are really looking to slow down the disease," Dunster said. "For patients, it's all about whether or not they will be able to kick around the ball with their kids in a few years."
Comments
Thanks CJ maybe their maybe a little lite at the end of the tunel. This time it not a Grey hound bus. LOL
Hope you have a fantastic Sunday!
Your friend always
Charlie
charchar
hey cj is it only for rrms? ty for the info, it sounds good so far! hope there are no long term sides. enjoy the warm weather!hehehehe single digits now. love ya, dave
hunterD
Thanks for the details on this Cj. My husband heard them talking about it on the radio Saturday but didnt have all the info. Theyre is hope for all of us.. LOL
Mary
muc7452
This is very wonderful positive news. :) Thank you so very much for sharing Cj. :) we hope and pray, for the very best, and that all works out well. :) You all are in our thoughts and prayers, and close within our hearts, every day. We care deeply about you all. :)
Chris1981
kick the ball....grin...hell i just want to bend over and pick the damn thing up without falling over...lol...thx for the post hon..great info..smile..
luv ya
heather
heather1
WOW! How great is this.
ooxx Marti
GrammieP
CAN THEY MAKE THAT IN A GUMMY BEAR?
jav
VERY GOOD NEWS!!!!!!
nancy2
HEY CJ, MY DR. AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC BROUGHT THIS UP A FEW MONTH AGO BUT WAS UNSURE ON THE SIDE EFFECTS BUT WAS GOING TO GET BACK TO ME. DOES SOUND PROMISING NOW THAT I GOT THE BOOT FROM TYSABRI. PILL WOULD BE GREAT XOXO JEN
OOBOO
Sounds promising. Just think no more pin cushion. Woo Hoo!
mooseyinn
JAV, I THINK WE NEED TO PUT IT IN AN M&M OR SOMETHING CHOCOLATE... MAYBE A GODIVA!!! YEAH, THAT'S THE TICKET!!! XO CJ
ddeadred
this was the drug study i was on I'm sure of it...i felt great while on it...
tweety68