Research and treatments

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Esperanza Neuropeptide This is an unlicensed treatment derived from the venom of the Thailand cobra.  The treatment involves sprays under the tongue several times a day and must be continued on a permanent basis.  It is said to work with nicotine receptors in the brain and helps to regulate the immune system.  There are claims that it helps with mobility, pain, speech, co-ordination and balance.  There are also claims that it doesn't work.

Treatments cost around £5000 pa and will be available from Bristol and Birmingham.  Tel 01352 254420.

 
Stem Cell Trial at Bristol Liz Allison, from our MS Centre, is one of six people on a trial of bone marrow stem cells at Bristol.  Professor Scolding is monitoring everyone closely for nine months to a year and is hoping to start a much bigger trial after this.  Liz is getting some benefits and we are all watching her like a hawk for improvements!

 
Sativex This is a drug based on cannabis. It has been filed for approval in the UK for use with spasticity in MS.  It could be widely available in 12-15 months.  At present Sativex is imported from Canada and only used by a few patients who pay around £4 per day. 

www.mrsc.co.uk    
www.mstrust.org.uk 

An Open General License has been issued by the Home Office to GW Pharma Ltd which allows pharmacists to dispense it on prescription.  If your GP is unwilling to prescribe it on the NHS, you may be able to get a prescription from a private Doctor.  GP's should contact Bayer Healthcare on 01635 563116 or fax on 01635 563657 or email on medical.science@bayer.co.uk. 
Aimspro This is based on goat’s serum and is now available in the UK on a special named patient basis.  This means the doctor writes a prescription for the unlicenced medication and the patient covers the cost (£364 a week for two injections)

For information , ask your doctor to write to Daval International requesting a pack from:  Daval International Ltd, 4a Gildredge Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4RL

www.msrc.co.uk
www.davalinternational.com

 
Tysabri This has now been approved by NICE and should be available on prescription soon.  It will be restricted to use by those patients with a particularly aggressive form of MS and cannot be used with other drugs.  There can be serious side-effects and these have to be monitored carefully.                

www.biogenidec.com
www.elan.com
www.msrc.co.uk
www.tysabri.com 

 

Stem Cells There is a lot of debate going on at the moment about stem cells.  A good discussion of all sides of the argument can be found on www.msrc.co.uk and also in the Pathways magazine. Tel 0800 7830518 for a magazine.

 
Mixoxantrone & copaxone Clinical trials are now taking place for this new combination therapy. To see if you are eligible visit:

www.mxga-mstrial.co.uk
www.msrc.co.uk 

 
Fampridine-SR A potential oral treatment aiming to increase mobility.  It blocks potassium and aids nerve conduction in damaged myelin.  In trials it has improved leg strength and walking.  Trials are still going on.

www.ms.about.com
www.nationalmssociety.org /research

 
Pregnancy Hormones

A hormone which produces prolactin , preparing the body for breastfeeding, can repair damaged nerve cells. Ms goes into remission during pregnancy. Canadian scientists who compared pregnant and virgin mice found that prolactin is the key to the formation of myelin.   Dr Samuel Weiss, of Calgary University , whose research is published in the Journal of Neuroscience, said trials on both men and women could start in the next few years.
Parasitic Worms

Scientists in Argentina have found that MS patients who have become infected with a form of parasitic water-borne worm, schistosoma mansoni, suffer fewer relapses and a lower level of disability. The Doctors at the Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research, say that MS is an autoimmune condition, where a person’s immune defences attack their own body. Having a parasite in the bloodstream may serve to distract the immune system from attacking the body. The search is on to isolate the MS-dampening molecules.
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) Naltrexone is an approved medication for heroin and opium addiction. In very small doses it appears to be remarkably effective in treating HIV/AIDS, certain types of cancer, and a host of autoimmune and neuro-degenerative disorders.

www.lowdosenaltrexone.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lowdosenaltrexone
Stem Cell Treatment This is now available in Germany from the XCell-Center.  The cost is £5000.  For more information see www.scell-center.com or call +31 575 568 362.
Richmond Pharmaceutical Drug Trial This is a trial for for a capsule version of a drug similar to Tysabri.  They are still looking for people to go on the trial, up to December 2008.  The drug is suitable for those with relapsing / remitting MS.  Full details are available from the Centre.