UK to test existing drugs as treatment for MS in world-first trial

[Northerner]

Doctors in the UK are to launch a world-first clinical trial to assess whether drugs already on the market can prevent multiple sclerosis (MS) from worsening over time and even reverse the disabilities it causes.

The groundbreaking Octopus trial, so named because of its various arms, will allow researchers to investigate the potential benefits of several drugs at once, in the hope of identifying effective new treatments three times faster than if the medicines were trialled separately.

Hundreds of patients sought for the trial will be randomly assigned to have either standard care for progressive MS or standard care plus one of three drugs that doctors hope will at least protect their neurons from the disease if not repair the damage done.

“It’s the first multi-arm, multi-stage trial for progressive MS in the world,” said Jeremy Chataway, a professor of neurology at University College London, who will co-lead Octopus with Mahesh Parmar, a professor of medical statistics and epidemiology, also at UCL. “It’s a more efficient way to go. I want this to mean that we get effective treatments for progressive MS faster,” he said.

UK to test existing drugs as treatment for MS in world-first trial

Researchers will test several drugs at once to speed up identification of those that slow or reverse symptoms

www.theguardian.com

Good to see metformin gets a mention

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hundreds of patients sought for the trial will be randomly assigned to have either standard care for progressive MS or standard

May I point out the standard care for progressive MS is saying hello to the consultant every 3 years and having a chat with the lovely MS nurse every 8-12 months.
There is no drug treatment for progressive MS.
Oh and looking at the drugs they want to trial they can keep em lol.

 

[trophywench]

Most drugs have side effects but as you know, not everyone gets the same side effects or to the same degree. If a combination of this, that and a bit of the other helps some, then that should be celebrated.

Is that the standard NHS treatment offered to every single NHS patient in England with MS, no matter where they live or which centre of excellence in MS (or otherwise) they get referred to, always gets?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

s that the standard NHS treatment offered to every single NHS patient in England with MS, no matter where they live or which centre of excellence in MS (or otherwise) they get referred to, always gets?

There is no standard treatment for any of the MS types as it's such an individual disease 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Well that's good as long as doctors are entirely open to offer treatment - but you would actually think there would be some signposting for doctors - and patients.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I think I misunderstood what you were saying re the treatment 🙂 Yes all over the country the standard treatment for progressive MS is nothing. The other types there are quite a few different drugs/treatments that can be used. Mind you looking at the side effects from them I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
The original article though is just referring to progressive MS. Then again the rate mine is progressing (snails pace) I'm leaving well alone 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Couldn’t agree more,@Pumper_Sue. The side effects of these drugs are a severe problem. The only standard treatment for my leg spasticity is Baclofen, which I’ve been offered. That causes problems when you are taking it, and worse problems if you stop it. I use CBD oil to control it, I know just how much to use. If I used Baclofen my legs would become useless.

And like you, my condition is progressing slowly, so both me and my consultant are leaving well alone.

 

[trophywench]

A prime case of the patients knowing best !