Trial reports myelin repair success

Repairing the damage to nerves caused by MS is possible, according to new research.

A study of the cancer drug bexarotene in Cambridge and Edinburgh showed that it led to the regrowth of myelin in people with relapsing remitting MS. However, the dose needed to produce this effect also led to serious side effects including thyroid disease and potentially damaging levels of blood fats. The results were presented at the MS Virtual conference.

Although the fact that it is possible to encourage the regrowth if myelin in humans is a breakthrough and will leads to further research, the side effects mean that bexarotene will not become a treatment for MS.

The Cambridge team are planning another remyelination study using metformin (a diabetes drug) in combination with clemastine (a treatment for hay fever and allergies)