MS in the Media - ECTRIMS 2019
ECTRIMS 2019
ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment and Research In Multiple Sclerosis) is the largest annual international conference devoted to basic and clinical research in multiple sclerosis. The 2019 meeting took place in Stockholm from 11 to 13 September.
The following is a small selection of coverage of information presented at the meeting.
Please note that the MS Trust did not write the original items and does not endorse their content nor any claims made in them.
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The course of MS
People with MS are taking longer to reach disability milestones according to Swedish research. This is probably due to lifestyle changes and better treatments and management, according to Swedish research. In Swedish clinics, "half as many patients are reaching an EDSS score of 6 [requires a walking aid] by age 64 as once did"
Source: American Journal of Managed Care
MS Trust link: Lifestyle choices
Factors in transition to SPMS
The use of disease modifying drugs and being a woman seemed to suggest a longer time before someone's MS becomes secondary progressive, according to an Italian study. People with onset over 40, with multiple symptoms and more relapses were more likely to transition sooner.
Source: MS News Today
MS Trust link: Secondary progressive MS
Hematopoietic stem cells
A debate considered issues around the use of autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (AHSCT). The pro argument was that it is effective and is much safer than it was previously. The against argument accepted encouraging signs of effectiveness but argued that there is still a risk, the long-term effects aren't known and its value against a powerful disease modifying drug hasn't been tested.
Source: MS News Today
MS Trust link: Stem cell therapy
Mesenchymal stem cells
Preliminary results from trial comparing mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT) with placebo found no difference in the number of new lesions but there was a reduction of the relapse rate by about a third. Another study in Israel found that fewer people in the stem cell group showed signs of disease worsening
Source: MS News Today (the MSCT information is the bottom third of the page)
Source: MS News Today
MS Trust link: Other stem cell research being explored for MS
Safety of vaccinations
Vaccinations did not increase the risk of being diagnosed with MS according to a German review of health records. This reflects the findings of a recently published guideline by the AAN (American Academy of Neurology)
Source: MedPage Today
MS Trust link: Vaccination and immunisation
Pregnancy and DMDs
A number of presentations considered issues around the safety of disease modifying drugs during pregnancy, timing stopping treatment when trying for a family to lessen the risk of relapse, family planning and knowledge of the risks
Source: MS News Today
MS Trust link: New guidelines for pregnancy in multiple sclerosis
Relapse costs
A German study divided people with a similar EDSS score into four groups - no relapses, relapses with recovery, relapses with worsening, and progressing. Medical and non-medical costs were highest for the two relapsing groups.
Source: MS News Today
MS Trust link: Relapsing remitting MS
Ofatumumab
Two studies showed that ofatumumab reduced the relapse rate by more than half compared to Aubagio (teriflunomide). It also reduced the risk of disability progression by a third. There were fewer new lesions in the ofatumumab group
Source: Reuters
MS Trust link: Ofatumumab
Ponesimod
A study showed that ponesimod reduced the relapse rate by almost a third compared to Aubagio (teriflunomide). The drug also improved measures of fatigue
Source: MedPage Today
MS Trust link: Ponesimod
Mayzent (siponimod)
Mayzent could extend the time until someone with secondary progressive MS needs a wheelchair by 4.3 years, according to an analysis of previously reported research results.
Source: Pharma Times
MS Trust link: Mayzent (siponimod)
Conference review
Brief comments on a range of topics from the meeting including speed of diagnosis, MRI scans, ofatumumab, ponesimod, pregnancy and DMDs, gut microbiome, mesenchymal stem cells, exercise, sleep, smoking, cognition, neurofilament light chain, vaccinations, and radiologically isolated syndrome
Source: National MS Society (USA)
"Starting a podcast in lockdown helped us take ownership of the situation"
23 Apr 2021 - 00:00
Comedian, Jeanette and Poet, Lytisha, talk about how creating their own podcast, about life with MS, led to lots of laughs, feelings of empowerment and a sense of community during lockdown.
Twelve year old Lacey hasn't been able to hug her dad for a year
23 Apr 2021 - 00:00
Before lockdown Lacey visited her dad every other weekend, but Covid restrictions have meant she’s not been able to visit her dad in his care home and give him a hug since March 2020.
'This is my normal now. I rather like it.' Living with PPMS in lockdown
23 Apr 2021 - 00:00
John Peters tells us how his working life changed during lockdown and how he’ll be quite happy not to go back to ‘normal’.
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