MS research update - 04 September 2009
- Cigarettes increase risk of MS but snuff does not
- Early stage research suggests potential role for galanin in treatment of MS
- Higher dose interferon beta-1b no more effective than standard dose interferon beta 1-b or glatiramer acetate
- Insight into future MS treatments
Cigarettes increase risk of MS but snuff does not
Previous research has pointed to a link between smoking and an increased risk of developing MS as well as a speedier progression of the condition. The present study found that whilst smoking cigarettes increased a person's risk of developing MS, using Swedish snuff did not. 902 people with MS and 1,855 people without MS between the ages of 16 and 70 took part in the Swedish study. All participants completed a questionnaire about tobacco cigarettes and snuff use. The study findings indicated that smokers of both sexes had a higher risk of developing MS; the heavier their smoking habit and the longer they had been smoking, the higher their risk. However, using snuff was not associated with an increased risk of developing MS. The authors suggest that as nicotine is present in both cigarettes and snuff, nicotine may not be responsible for the increased risk of developing MS.
Hedström AK, Bäärnhielm M, Olsson T, et al.
Tobacco smoking, but not Swedish snuff use, increases the risk of multiple sclerosis.
Neurology 2009; 73(9):696-701.
Medline abstract
Early stage research suggests potential role for galanin in treatment of MS
The findings of some very early stage research conducted in animal models of MS and post mortem MS brain tissue, suggest that the neuropeptide (a protein like molecule that influences brain activity) galanin, could have a future role as a disease modifying treatment for MS. The researchers studied post mortem brain tissue of people who had MS and found an increase of galanin in the areas of the brain where inflammation and demyelination had occurred. In the second part of the study, the researchers sought to understand the role of increased galanin in these damaged areas by administering galanin to mice and subsequently inducing the animal model of MS. The researchers found that following administration of galanin, the mice were resistant to the development of the MS like disease they had been induced with. The authors suggest that galanin plays a protective role that counters the development of MS and therefore holds potential as a future treatment. However, it is important to recognize the true significance of this very early research, the findings of which may not be replicated in human studies. Further research is needed to clarify the potential role of galanin in MS.
Wraith DC, Pope R, Butzkueven H, et al.
A role for human galanin in human and experimental inflammatory demyelination.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2009; 106(36): 15458-15463.
Medline abstract
Higher dose interferon beta-1b no more effective than standard dose interferon beta 1-b or glatiramer acetate
The aim of this two year study was to determine whether double the standard dose of interferon beta-1b, 500µg, would prove any more effective than the standard 250µg dose of interferon beta-1b or glatiramer acetate in treating relapsing remitting MS. 2244 people with relapsing remitting MS were enrolled onto the study and divided into three groups to receive one of two doses of intereferon beta-1b (250µg or 500µg) every other day or daily injections of glatriramer acetate. The results of the study revealed that there was no difference in the relapse risk or disability progression as assessed by EDSS (a disability rating scale that is used by clinicians to rate levels of impairment and mobility) between the three groups. The authors conclude that the 250µg dose of interferon beta-1b is the optimum dose and that glatiramer acetate is equally effective.
O'Connor P, Massimo F. Arnason B, et al.
250µg or 500µg interferon beta-1b versus 20µg glatiramer acetate in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: a prospective, randomised, multicentre study.
Lancet Neurology 2009 Oct;8(10):889-897.
Medline abstract
Insight into future MS treatments
The present article explores the current status of MS drug therapies, the advances made towards more effective treatments in recent years, and the implications of using more aggressive treatments in MS. The article reviews the research evidence for the most promising emerging oral therapies for MS including cladribine, teriflunomide, laquinimod, fingolimod, fumaric acid; and unlicensed injectable therapies including alemtuzumab and PEGylated interferon beta. It discusses the unmet needs that have to be addressed to improve the treatment options available to people with MS including better safety, tolerability and effectiveness.
Keiser BC, Weindl H, Hartung H-P, et al.
The future of multiple sclerosis therapy.
Pharmacological Research 2009; 60(4): 207-211.
Medline abstract