Friday, December 1, 2017

A cure to "one of the most complex diseases ever described"

        Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a very complicated disease as it effects both the nervous system and immune system. Evidence shows that a possible cause of MS is the corrosion of the immune system which will break down the nervous system. The incorrect behavior of the T-cell in our immune system can be the first step leading to MS. The T-cell enters the brain due to a disruption in the blood-brain barrier and after the T-cell has entered, it recognizes the myelin as foreign and attacks it. This violent attack triggers inflammation and other immune cells to further break down the blood-brain barrier which effects the communication between neurons. This lack of communication between the neurons then results in the break down of the nervous system in the body.
        Doctors have struggled over possible cures for this disease and have found relatively nothing, besides dietary supplements which can help strengthen an individuals' immune system.  However, there has been a break-through drug called Ocrelizumab. This drug is still in clinical trials and is currently in several different phase 2 and 3 trials.
        The plan behind Ocrelizumab is to target B-cells of the immune system. In theory, this drug will attack the disease-ridden immune cells in order to stop MS. This drug specifically attacks the protein CD20 on the B-cell, inhibiting the cell. Inhibiting the B-cell will stop or slow the inflammation happening around the brain. By discontinuing the function of the protein on the B-cell, the cell will self destruct, inflammation will decrease, and there should be better communication between neurons.
        In the current trials, the results have shown that this drug will help reduce lesions and relapses in about 70% of its patients. The trials surrounding this drug are currently for individuals who have shown symptoms of Relapse Remitting MS.      

Works Cited:

Ocrelizumab. (2017). MultipleSclerosis.net. Retrieved from:    
        https://multiplesclerosis.net/research/ocrelizumab/
Yeager, A. (2017). Scientists are seeking new strategies to fight multiple sclerosis. Science News.  
        Retrieved from: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-are-seeking-new-strategies-fight-
        multiple-sclerosis


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1 comment:

  1. AliciaD618December 3, 2017 at 2:18 PM

    Looking at clinicaltrials.gov, ocrelizumab is meant to be for patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society states that primary progressive MS differs from relapsing MS in that patients tend to have fewer brain lesions but more lesions on the spinal cord. In addition, they state that there is much less inflammation in the primary progressive form, which makes that form more difficult to diagnose and treat than other forms of MS. With that in mind, why do you think the ocrelizumab clinical trial is focusing on the primary progressive form of MS rather than the relapsing form even though those patients have much less inflammation and that's what the drug is targeting? Do you think it is because that form is harder to treat so they are focusing on the primary progressive rather than the relapsing? Overall, it is interesting and exciting that clinical trials are underway for such a debilitating disease.

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