I had read about this research on Stuart's site last week. It does sound promising but the risks do sound a little scary to me. I am glad there are more choices. Just think...if we had MS twenty years ago, there really wasn't anything a doctor could offer us. Now we have all of these choices but they all bear some type of risk. I believe that the next ten years will be very exciting as far as research and breakthroughs. Let's hope.
We certainly do have many more choices and research is plugging along. My neurologist does say that the next big thing will be in monoclonal antibody therapy. My skeptic side wonders why SO MUCH HYPE accompanying the NEJM article which highlights information that has already been presented at conventions.
I want to hope, but then I don't want this to be one of those "breakthroughs" which is buried in the dust just a few years from now.
It's good to see you come around. I've been extremely busy (and out of town some) so haven't been around myself. Hope to catch up soon.
Hi Aletha,
Hey, I'd like to learn more about LDN. Maybe you could write additional Shareposts on that topic for those of us without direct experience. That's great that your husband is doing so well with this approach.
Something which is interesting about the Campath trials - Dr. Coles says that persons with more disability and advanced MS weren't expected to respond as well as those in the very early stages of the disease. However, doctors who were quoted in two other articles (published at earlier dates) stated that due to the risks those with early disease should not used the drug, but it should be reserved for patients who have failed other approaches.
So which is the correct approach? We don't know right now. The more interesting reports will be the results of Phase 3 trials. That's where we'll get much more information. But Campath is certainly one drug to keep an eye on.
Thanks for your comment. I really appreciate hearing from those who come by to read. 
It took me awhile to get around to reading on this topic. Your articles are very informative Lisa.
What concerns me about this and most clinical trials is the criteria:
EDSS score 0.0 to 3.0
I was included in that group a decade or more before my diagnosis. I would have given any clinical trial wonderful data!
Cathleen,
I know exactly what you mean!!! EDSS scores are something which I think many MSers don't really know what they mean or where they would fit on the scale.
I still fit in this range normaly, but even with a 'mild' relapse this summer, I ventured outside the range temporarily. For the first time, I asked the NP what my score would be and she estimated 3.5 without referring to the complicated criteria.
Did you know that numbness in all four limbs gets you an automatic 2.0? Weakness in other areas, balance issues, etc. got me up to 3.5. And then she said it might just be 3.0, but that would go back down when the symptoms resolved.
So yes, EDSS score 0.0 to 3.0 is very low on the disability scale. Secondary progressive doesn't even apply until you reach a permanent EDSS of 4.5 and up. Absolutely, nice pretty data when someone is early in the disease.
Thank you so much for coming around to read and comment. I appreciate it!!
THANK YOU FOR THE IMFORMATIVE ARTICLE ON CAMPATH. I'VE READ ABOUT IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND AS OF THIS DATE, IT IS *NOT* A TREATMENT I WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.
I'M NOT AT ALL IMPRESSED W/THE STUDY DONE, AS I FEEL IT WAS TOO RESTRICTIVE, THO IN *SOME* WAYS, I UNDERSTAND WHY.
YOU DID A GREAT JOB WITH IT, THO, SO AGAIN, THANK YOU.
~GS~
GentleSpirit,
Thank you for your comment. It is difficult to read these studies and try to balance whether there's something worth getting hopeful for or whether it's something to just watch and see.
Drug trial participation is often very restrictive and, personally, I would not qualify for most of them. So it makes it more difficult to determine if a new therapy would be beneficial for someone just like me.
But I'm going to keep watching the research and thank those who create the hypotheses and then test those theories. Only by scientific research will better treatments and potential cures be found.
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I notice Copaxone not mentioned, after being on Copaxone my affected function of my rt hand, legs, visual problems, and some numbness was restored and never relapsed yet (since 1999), almost ONE QUARTER got a serious side affect? It is still believed that Copaxone may have restorative effects. Other thn another big drug co. getting into the MS market...I just don't see any big deal here.
Diane,
Honestly, it's hard to me to get too excited. Two-year results of this study were presented at AAN conference in spring 2007. And three-year results were presented at the Montreal meeting in September 2008 (and I think AAN in spring 2008 also).
This media blitz seems to be carried to the extreme and makes me wonder. Although my neurologist doesn't recommend these new therapies for me, he does think that the monoclonal antibody therapies are going to be the next step in fighting MS.
I've got my eye on Hi-Cy and hope to see great results from it.
Also, I've only used Copaxone and seem to be seeing good results (even with symptoms and relapse). I think you're correct in referring to possible improvements with Copaxone. I'd have to look for those abstracts but it sounds familiar.
Thanks for coming by and for your comment.