Dr. Robert Miller, Principal Investigator
Myelin Repair Foundation’s Principal Investigator Robert Miller recently published a scientific paper “Inhibition of CXCR2 signaling promotes recovery in models of multiple sclerosis” in Experimental Neurology (July 16, 2009). His team summarized their findings as follows:
MS is an autoimmune disease where some inflammatory-demyelinating processes occur within the central nervous system (CNS – the brain and spinal cord). This means that the myelin, a lipoprotein which covers the neurons, becomes damaged. The cells responsible for producing myelin in the CNS are called oligodendrocytes. It has been suggested that some specific proteins localised in the surface of oligodendrocytes play a crucial role in the production of myelin and its repair after an injury. The authors found, in an animal model of MS, that the blockage of these specific receptors enhances recovery of the damaged myelin. The results of this study are encouraging, since this blockage may represent a potential therapeutic target.
Are we looking for repairing the damage that has been done? What if has been years since damage occurred?
Comment by LaVonne — August 6, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Hello,
Does this info tie in with epigenetics? Also, I found an article called Age-dependent epigenetic control of differentiation inhibitors is critical for remyelination efficiency. I ask because I am currently undergoing stem cell therapy and my DOM (not the stem cell provider) has suggested I look into complimentary therapies.
Thank you,
Briana
Comment by Briana — August 6, 2009 @ 11:02 am
This sounds like wonderful new. Keep moving forward this work, because I’m tired of having MS.
Comment by Daniel — August 6, 2009 @ 11:04 am
I agree Daniel, after 23 years I am tired of this debilitating disease.
Comment by Becky — August 6, 2009 @ 11:35 am
LaVonne: Yes, we are looking to repair damage at any stage of the disease. Everything from early relapsing-remitting to long-term secondary progressive.
Comment by Justine Lam — August 6, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Is there any need for specific drug delviery device for MS drug formulation for example if you were to consider targeted or local delviery mechanism at the site of injury or demylination ?
I am interested to know as my background and expertise is in drug delviery. Thanks.
Ron
Comment by Ron — August 6, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
I have stopped the progression of my MS with Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) – there is a website if interested. I had brain scan done last year and this year and there is not one new lesion. So now, my next step – to repair the damage with myelin repair. I wait with hope…..
I like that Daniel ssid he was tired of having MS. Right on! I like the honest feelings he expresses about it. I feel the same but it was nice to see it said so clearly. Thanks Daniel.
Comment by Alice — August 6, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
What is projected time table for a useful intervention, field trials, FDA approval, to a pill or injection so we can experience some improvement?
Comment by Dave — August 6, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
Dear Briana,
This is an astute question because this signaling pathway does have effects on differentiation, but the MRF has not had a major focus on epigenetic control mechanisms, and epigenetic effects were not examined in this study.
Thanks for your interest in the MRF, and as always, please consult with you doctor regarding the latest therapies.
Kumar Hari
Myelin Repair Foundation
Comment by Kumar — August 6, 2009 @ 4:02 pm
Ron,
As you may know, delivery to the site of injury in any CNS disorder is problematic. Current MS drug are delivered via injection or infusion. Our preference is for therapeutic agents that can be delivered systemically (optimally orally).
Rusty Bromley
COO, Myelin Repair Foundation
Comment by Rusty Bromley — August 6, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
Like Alice, I have also experienced great success with Naltrexone (LDN), which I started about 5 years ago and wish I had know about it before I could no longer walk and began using a wheelchair.
The Myelin Repair Foundation is my greatest hope of ever recovering my life before it was changed by MS when I was 42. I am now 59 and have never stopped swimming, or lifting weights with the hope that a miracle might come along in my lifetime. I’ll be ready when that break through comes. Whatever you are physically able to still do with MS, don’t stop but keep challenging whatever remains of your body strength. Besides maintaining strength, it’s great for your head!
Comment by Lucinda Coffey — August 6, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Has anyone heard of any further research concerning these two all ready approved drugs? I will paste it here:
Hard To Treat Diseases (HTDS) Update on Therapeutic effects of
Combined Treatment With Ribavirin And Tiazofurin
BELGRADE, SERBIA, July 1, 2009 ‐‐ Hard To Treat Diseases (HTDS) (www.htdsmedical.com) Chief Scientist
with its Slavica BioChem subsidiary, Dr. Sanja Pekovic provided updates on recent clinical trials with
animal subjects in regards to the use of Ribavirin And Tiazofurin for the potential treatment of Multiple
Sclerosis (MS).
Dr. Pekovic reported; “It is now well accepted that axonal injury begins at an early stage in MS,
and likely accounts for clinical progression seen later in the disease course, suggesting that
early, aggressive treatment is critical in order to suppress long-term disability progression.
Researchers from IBISS group (a related research group) tested the effect of combined
treatment with ribavirin (R) and tiazofurin (T) administrated during the effector phase of disease.
R and T are purine nucleoside analogues, with the broad spectrum of anti-viral, anti-tumoral and
anti-inflammatory properties. They detected amelioration of clinical signs of experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE – animal model of MS) and faster recovery in the RTtreated
group compared to the control EAE group.
Although the precise mechanisms of suppressive effects of combined therapy with R and T in
ongoing EAE and prevention of demyelination and axonal loss, are yet unknown, the results
gained in this study suggest that combination of these two nucleoside analogues might act at
several steps during disease, and probably these actions function in concert. Therefore, the
combination of these two nucleoside analogues might be a useful and relatively inexpensive
approach for the treatment of MS”.
Dr. Pekovic added: “We are hopeful, that with additional funding, we will be able to continue
along this promising path, and continue researching the potential applications of a combination
of ribavirin and tiazofurin in the treatment of MS”.
Safe Harbor
Comment by Gary — August 7, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
in response to alice’s not. Thank you for your comments. I just began infusion therapy Novantrone. I was pleased to hear of the halt you experience. I am searching for such a halt.
Tom
Comment by tom — August 8, 2009 @ 9:51 am
I have spoken to many MS patients who have drastically improved their condition by radically changing their diat to include more of the vitamin B-complex through freshly ground whole wheat and excluding white flour products and sugar. The vitamin Bs are commonly know as the nerve vitamins.
Comment by Dona — August 16, 2009 @ 1:17 am
I was interested to read the article you refer to, but I can only get the abstract without paying a serious fee for the body. I suggest that you adopt as a principle that your scientists’ journal articles be published in Open Access journals such as those of the Public Library of Science (PLoS). That would fit well with your philosophy of open teamwork and would enable third world scientists to benefit from and contribute to your discoveries.
Would you consider writing or sponsoring or collecting chapters for a book exploring and revealing your philosophy, motivations, and experience with this new way of integrating science at a higher level? Your innovative approach to science could be as profoundly effective as was Edison’s greatest invention, the Research and Development Laboratory, for many of the same reasons.
How about creating a wiki and inviting your staff, fans, contributors, management, scientists, and advisors to contribute just an outline of a possible chapter? Then other volunteer or paid contributors could ask questions, add notes or answers, or argue for or against answers. An actual accomplished writer could distill a book from the wiki every few years while the wiki is left to grow and be refined as time continues in its inexorable progression into the future.
I’m particularly interested in the connections to open source projects like Apache which is funded largely by companies for whom it is not their core business. Some aspects are more like Deming’s emphasis on continuous improvement by empowering line workers and promoting the notion that management’s role is to support the workers and listen to their ideas. Other aspects remind one of books like “Wikinomics”.
Comment by Richard Karpinski — January 31, 2010 @ 12:52 pm