FTY720 (Fingolimod) Trial Results

As per Lulu's suggestion, I am posting this recent press release in a new post so it isn't missed.

Multiple Sclerosis - FTY720 (Fingolimod) Trial Results
Article Date: 15 Dec 2008 - 0:00 PST

www. medicalnewstoday .com/articles/132947. php

"FTY720 (fingolimod), an experimental oral drug for relapsing MS is more effective than current treatments according to new research reported today.

The trial, called TRANSFORMS, is the first of three studies of FTY720 to report. TRANSFORMS was a one year study involving 1,292 participants receiving either 0.5 mg or 1.25 mg FTY720 or interferon beta-1a (Avonex).

During the study, people receiving interferon beta-1a experienced on average 0.33 relapses. People on the lower dose of FTY720 experienced 0.16 relapses (a reduction of 52%) and those on the higher dose 0.20 relapses (a 38% reduction).

The study data is still being analysed and detailed results are planned to be presented at a conference in 2009. The manufacturers, Novartis, hope to submit the drug for licensing by the end of 2009.

Pam Macfarlane, Chief Executive of the MS Trust said, "We welcome the positive results of the study. However, these are early results from a study looking at a short period of treatment. We look forward to the fuller results which we hope will give a clearer picture of the effectiveness of this drug for people with MS."





Also, here is a blurb on the trial that Shoshin provided in her recent post on this subject.

http://www. ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/ pubmed/18678377

"New preclinical data presented at European Committee for Treatment and Research of Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Prague suggests that FTY720 (fingolimod) directly reduces neurodegeneration and enhances repair of the central nervous system (CNS) damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) by interacting with sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1P-R) expressed on brain cells. This mechanism of action may be in addition to the established anti-inflammatory role of FTY720 that is mediated by the reduction of inflammatory immune cells, called lymphocytes, from reaching the brain." (from http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1309)

[Lulu54]

Thanks DV, sometimes these really interesting bits pop up on other discussions and get lost in the chatter.

I'm sure its 100% that we would all like an oral DMD to replace the injections.  And especially one with a high success rate.  Here's hoping their findings prove out.........

Be well, Lu

[jensequitur]

I like the reducing of neurodegeneration, myself - something that as far as I know, Copaxone or Betaseron does not do.