News
Japanese Researchers Have Developed a Potential Cure for MS [Updated}
Is a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) on the horizon? According to Japaneses researchers it may be. The researchers have developed a drug they claim can act as a cure, and they aim to prove it in the near future.
The National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry at Kodaira announced on Monday that it will begin a three-month clinical trial on nine patients next month. If that trial is successful, the drug will then proceed into a large-scale trial.
“We are hopeful as preliminary studies have produced very good results,” Takashi Yamamura told The Japan Times. Yamamura is the head of the immunology department responsible for the development of the drug.
MS affects around 2 million people around the world. The disease causes several symptoms including numbness, motion problems, speech impairment, muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, and vision loss. The cause is believed to be lymphocyte immune cells that begin to misidentify the body’s own cells as foreign, making them begin destroying the cells.
The researchers developed a drug intended to stimulate a type of immune cell that softens the attacks from lymphocytes as well as creating a protein that will suppress inflammation caused by the cell damage. According to the center, the version of the drug being tested is drunk in a powder form dissolved in water.
It seems unbelievable that researchers may be this close to a cure for a disease that is still not fully understood or explained. Scientists believe they have found the underlying mechanisms that create the terrible symptoms MS patients live with, but little is known as to the true source of the disease. But, there is hope that multiple sclerosis may not remain an incurable disease for long.
[Update 9/16/2014]
After numerous comments asking for information on the results of the study, it seems a follow-up is necessary. However, since the announcement of the study there has been zero new information over the past months. Most likely, the results of this study won’t be confirmed for many more months or even a few more years. Not only do the researchers on issues such as this need to expand the study over a significant period of time to review the effectiveness of any potential study, all the results also have to be corrected to compensate for outside factors.
This is genius keep me updated please
I knew that this day would come. Just didn’t know it would take this long.
This sounds really exciting. Something has got to be found soon. Please let us all know as things develop. Thankyou..
I hope that the drug companies in the US don’t influence the FDA to delay or disapprove the introduction of a promising new drug. After all, why would they (the pharmaceutical companies) want to find a cure for disease when they’re making a huge fortune on just treating it? For example – my daughter’s Tysabri retails at $9,000 a bag.
I wish I could offer you some encouragement , instead, I am commiserating with you. I take two medicines to try and slowdown the progression of my MS . One is $7500/mo and the other is $1500/mo. Thank God for insurance. By the way, their combined effect is slight at best.
Hope the cure for ms is forthcoming i pray
We need a cure for this terrible illness
I am excited to read about this research being developed. I growing up, I was a chef and a runner sprinting ten miles a day. I really hope a cure is found for this disease.
What is the status of the trial
Pls let this drug work I want my health back. Pls keep me posted
I have a family member that has been diagnosed and is seeking treatment however after learning about your study is very interested in learning more about a possible cure. Given the types of treatment the idea of a cure is wonderful news. Please share information related to the studies and how we can involved.