Thursday, October 25, 2007
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Acne medication may delay progress of multiple sclerosis
Canadian researchers investigate common
medication
as alternative MS treatment
Calgary, October 25, 2007 – A common
acne medication that has been available for over
30 years has the potential to delay the progress of
multiple sclerosis and if proven effective, will offer
an inexpensive option for the treatment of early
MS, says the MS Society of Canada.
Clinical researchers in Calgary and 13 other
Canadian centres will be taking an in-depth look
at an oral therapy known as minocycline after
initial studies have shown promising results. A new
$4 million multi-centre clinical trial involving 200
participants from across Canada is being funded
through the MS Society’s related MS Scientific
Research Foundation.
“The benefits of minocycline are straight forward:
it’s relatively cheap, has few side effects and can
be taken in pill format,” says Dr. Luanne Metz,
principal investigator for the study and a professor
of clinical neurosciences at the University of
Calgary Faculty of Medicine. “The aim of our
research is to see if this common drug can reduce
the occurrence of further disease activity in people
who have experienced an initial attack of MS
symptoms and who are at high risk of progressing
to definite MS. Without treatment, two thirds of
people facing this circumstance are expected to
be diagnosed with MS within 6 months. We
believe minocycline can reduce this number. ”
In MS, myelin, which is the protective coating of
the nerve fibres of the brain and spinal cord,
becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be
seen as characteristic lesions by magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). Previous clinical tests of
minocycline have shown an 84 per cent reduction
of MS lesion activity on MRI.
“There is obvious benefit in delaying the rate of
disease progression in MS, from improved quality
of life to reduced healthcare expenses,” says Dr.
William McIlroy, national medical advisor for the
MS Society of Canada. “The breadth of the study,
the reputation of the researchers involved and the
early clinical data supports the view that there is
considerable promise for minocycline. We would
not be involved if this were not the case.”
Minocycline works by inhibiting the activities of an
enzyme and immune cells that are keys to
initiating MS attacks. It has been used in acne
treatment for its anti-bacterial effects but studies
have shown its anti-inflammatory properties could
be important factors in slowing down MS. These
insights were discovered through pioneering
research funded by the MS Society of Canada and
led by Dr. V. Wee Yong at the University of
Calgary (U of C). Drs. Metz and Yong lead the MS
program at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at U of C
where many of the early studies on minocycline
took place.
In comparing minocycline to current therapies, the
cost savings would be substantial. In generic form,
minocycline is available for as low as $800 per
year. Current MS therapies can cost between
$18,000 and $40,000 per year. Researchers note
that minocycline would not necessarily replace
current therapies, but might delay the timeframe
in which they would be required.
The study will be randomized and double-blind by
design. Investigators will compare 100 mg of oral
minocycline twice daily to placebo over a period
of two years.
Enrolment will begin in early 2008 and 14 MS
clinics are involved including institutions in
Calgary, Vancouver, Burnaby, Edmonton, Red
Deer, Saskatoon, London, Toronto, Kingston,
Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke and
Halifax.
About the MS Society of Canada
Founded in 1948, the MS Society has a
membership of 28,000, with seven regional
divisions and nearly 120 chapters. The MS
Society provides services for people with MS,
family members and caregivers. The MS Society
also offers a unique support network for children
and teenagers with MS and their parents. The MS
Society raises funds to support research and
services almost entirely through individual and
corporate donations and fundraising events across
the country. The MS Society is the single largest
funder of MS research in Canada. For more
information, visit
www.mssociety.ca
Contact:
Stewart Wong
National Manager, Media and Public
Relations
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Phone: 416-967-3025
Cell: 416-575-3025
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