New Multiple sclerosis drug has been discovered. Scientists hope it can be used to stop the progression of the disease.
44 year old Natham Frim of Sunbury, Ohio has been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis his entire life. When a pill he took everyday wasn't enough, Frim turned to Dr. Michael Racke. Frim joined a clinical trial on March 17 at the Ohio State University Wexner Center infusion clinic at CarePoint Gahanna. This decision on his part arguably changed his life.
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Dr. Michael Racke[/caption]
The drug by the name of ocrelizumab is to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today. Ocrelizumab has been proven to stop the progression of the disease in patients with relapsing MS and primary progressive MS.
Frim feels confident in his decision to partake in the study. He says:
It brings peace of mind. Being on this medicine, I'm not worried about the progression. I feel that that's not an issue for me right now."
Not only has this given Frim significant peace of mind, but this drug does not need to be taken every day. In fact, one infusion is needed every six months. His last dose was given to him on March 17, and he's one of 70 to try ocrelizumab.
According to Dr. Racke, Multiple sclerosis is when an abnormal immune-system response leads to an attack of nerve fibers and fatty myelin that borders them in the central nervous system. When the brain is damaged, this can lead to slurred speech, numbness, loss of strength and coordination, vision problems, loss of bladder control and cognitive affects. The new drug does its job by diminishing B cells, which are immune cells that attack the precious myelin.
[gallery columns="1" size="large" ids="728"]Dr. Racke has been treating patients with MS for over 30 years now, and this is the first time there has been a B cell-killer to treat MS. Dr. Racke states,
Until recently, I was forced to look into someone's eyes and say 'I can make you get worse slower,' which breaks my heart. Emotionally, I can't begin to describe how important that is to me. I'm not a sports guy, but I now know what it feels like to have your team win."
It's important to note that this is not a treatment, but it will essentially put a strong hold on the progression of the disease. It's exciting to think what could come next.
