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Possible new treatment for multiple sclerosis patients

11/02/11

Preliminary research suggests that people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis may soon benefit from a treatment that focuses on a specific type of immune cell.

B cells are thought by researchers to stimulate the development of the chronic and disabling nervous system disease.

The potential new treatment focuses on B cells. A new drug called ocrelizumab is in the preliminary stages of being tested to reduce brain inflammation related to the disease.

Although the study offers hope to patients, Dr. Moses Rodriguez, a professor of neurology and immunology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, believes the idea of using the drug as a treatment isn't a new idea.

"In fact, there's nothing novel about this at all," Rodriguez told HealthDay News. "There is another drug, called rituximab, that's been in early trials for MS for years. And all this new drug is attempting to do is replicate the same that rituximab already does. And I see no major advantage of this drug versus that older drug. It's not better or worse. It's the same."

Rodriguez went on to note that he wouldn't call this drug a major breakthrough in the battle against MS.

According to MedicineNet.com, more than 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with MS, ranging from the ages of 20 to 50, which shows researching life insurance at an early age can be wise.

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