Cancer Drug Shows Promise Against Multiple Sclerosis

Dr. Kantor,

With the NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) article highlighting the trial of Campath (alemtuzumab) against Rebif (interferon beta 1-a), there has been increased interest in using Campath to fight MS.  In fact with the press releases in Oct 2008, many of us have been asked to spread the word.

My question to you - In my researching of the topic, I read a report which came out of the Montreal MS World Congress meeting in which a researcher (or someone connected to the research) said that the person who DID die of ITP was found to be in the Rebif arm of the trial.

Since I do not have professional access to the NEJM, could you clarify or confirm that indeed the person who died from ITP was taking Rebif or Campath?  If it were from Rebif, why hasn't that information been included in the press releases?

As a patient, what is the easiest way to research the adverse side-effects (including death) of patients taking the various approved and experiemental drugs?

I appreciate any information which you could share on the topics above.  Thanks.

I asked my Dr. about getting into this trial and he said patients could not be over 55.  That doesn't make sense to me.  What difference does age make?

Judith Rozelle