MS Trial Alert: Study of Oral Teriflunomide (HMR1726) Recruiting People with Relapsing Forms of MS Worldwide
Feb 08, 2010
Summary: Investigators worldwide are recruiting 1110 people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) for a study comparing two doses of teriflunomide (HMR1726), an investigational, oral MS medication, and inactive placebo. For the purposes of this study, "relapsing forms of MS" would include individuals who have experienced one MS attack in the past one year or two MS attacks in the past two years. The study, known as the “TOWER” study, is sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis.
MS Trial Alert: Recruiting Nationwide for Study of Copaxone in Patients with First Episode of Acute Optic Neuritis
Feb 02, 2010
Summary: Investigators at sites throughout the United States are recruiting 200 people who have experienced one episode of acute optic neuritis, to determine whether nerve fiber loss can be minimized with administration of glatirmamer acetate (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries) treatment. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, and often is the first symptom of multiple sclerosis. The study is funded by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.
MS Trial Alert: Investigators in Ohio Recruiting 24 People for Study of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
Jan 06, 2010
Summary: Investigators in Ohio are recruiting 24 people with relapsing forms of MS for a study of the safety and tolerability of transplanting one’s own mesenchymal stem cells (derived from bone marrow). The study is being conducted at Cleveland Clinic Mellen MS Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and the National Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, all in Cleveland. This study is supported by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, a program funded through the Defense Department, thanks in large part to the tireless work of MS activists across the country who helped to secure the funding. Please note: This study involves numerous visits to the study site.
MS Trial Alert: Investigators in Buffalo Recruiting for Research Study on Venous Insufficiency, or CCSVI, in People with MS and Others
Dec 22, 2009
Summary: Investigators at the University of Buffalo are recruiting 1600 adults and 100 children for a research study investigating the frequency of CCSVI (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2206) in people with MS when compared to healthy controls and controls with other neurological disorders. The University’s Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center of the Jacobs Neurological Institute is funding the study. CCSVI is also the subject of a recently released “Requests for Applications” released by the National MS Society (USA) and the MS Society of Canada seeking grant applications to pursue this potentially important lead.
MS Trial Alert: Study of Oral Teriflunomide (HMR1726) Recruiting People at High Risk for MS Worldwide
Dec 11, 2009
Investigators worldwide are recruiting people at high risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) for a study comparing two doses of oral HMR1726 (teriflunomide), an immune system-modulating agent, and inactive placebo. People at high risk for MS are those who experience a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS, a single neurological event suggestive of demyelination, such as focal weakness, numbness, coordination problems, or decrease in vision in one eye) and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings suggestive of MS. The study is sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis.
MS Trial Alert: Investigators Worldwide Recruiting for Study of Antibody in Relapsing-Remitting MS
Dec 02, 2009
Summary: Investigators at 110 sites worldwide are recruiting 245 people with relapsing-remitting MS for a phase II study testing several doses of LY2127399 versus inactive placebo. This drug is a human antibody – immune system protein – delivered via injection under the skin. Eli Lilly and Company is funding the study.
MS Trial Alert: Investigators Recruiting for Study of Duloxetine Hydrochloride to Treat Neuropathic Pain in MS
Sep 14, 2009
Summary: Investigators in the United States (US) are currently recruiting approximately 200 people with all types of MS who are experiencing central neuropathic pain for a clinical research study to determine if the investigational use of the oral study drug, duloxetine hydrochloride, versus placebo, is safe and effective at reducing neuropathic pain associated with MS. The study is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.
MS Trial Alert: Investigators Recruiting 1260 People with MS for Study of PEGylated Interferon Beta-1a
Aug 31, 2009
Summary: Investigators worldwide are recruiting 1260 people with relapsing MS for a Phase III clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of BIIB017 (PEGylated interferon beta-1a, delivered under the skin) and inactive placebo. The study is sponsored by Biogen Idec.
MS Trial Alert: Small Study Recruiting People with MS and Spasticity to Compare IPX056 (Extended-release Baclofen) and Immediate-release Baclofen
Jul 14, 2009
Summary: Investigators at seven sites in the United States are recruiting 28 people for a study comparing the effect of the experimental compound IPX056 (extended-release baclofen) to currently available, immediate-release baclofen in relieving spasticity and symptoms related to MS. The study is sponsored by Impax Pharmaceuticals, a division of Impax Laboratories, Inc.
MS Trial Alert: Recruiting Patients for Study on How Adhering to Therapy Impacts MS
Jun 25, 2009
Summary: A new study is seeking to determine to what extent individuals’ sticking to their prescribed treatment regimen (called “compliance”) affects outcomes in relapsing-remitting MS, and whether special programs can enhance their adherence to therapy. The study focuses on compliance related to several disease-modifying therapies -- Avonex® (interferon beta-1a, Biogen Idec), Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals), Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries), and Rebif® (interferon beta-1a, EMD Serono and Pfizer). Three thousand people are being recruited for this study by three specialty pharmacies that provide service nationwide. Teva Neuroscience is funding this study.
MS Trial Alert: Sites in Ohio, Texas, and Washington Recruiting for a Small Study of Autologous ("Self") Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Underway
May 26, 2009
Summary: Investigators at three sites in the United States (Columbus, Ohio; Houston, Texas; and Seattle, Washington) are conducting an open-label study to test the safety and effectiveness of high-dose immunosuppressive therapy (chemotherapy) followed by autologous (cells from patient’s own blood) hematopoietic stem cell transplant in 30 people with relapsing-remitting* or progressive-relapsing* MS. The investigators will consider participants who are not patients in their treatment centers, but please keep in mind that several visits and a hospital stay are necessary for this trial (travel expenses will be reimbursed). This study also is known as the HALT-MS study, and is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes of Health.
MS Trial Alert: Study of Oral Cladribine Added on to Interferon Therapy Recruiting Worldwide
Apr 01, 2009
Summary: Investigators at approximately 30 sites in the United States and others nationwide are studying the safety and tolerability of oral cladribine (EMD Serono Inc.) compared to placebo as an add-on therapy to injectable interferon beta-1a therapy – Rebif® (EMD Serono and Pfizer), Avonex® (Biogen Idec), or Betaseron® (Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals) – in people with active MS. A total of 200 people are expected to enroll in this study. EMD Serono Inc. is sponsoring this study.
MS Trial Alert: Clinical Trial of Sex Hormone Estriol Recruiting Women with MS to Participate - Updated
Feb 10, 2009
Summary: The National MS Society is funding a team of investigators at 16 medical centers to conduct a two-year, controlled clinical trial of an estrogen (estriol) added to standard therapy to treat MS. Investigators administer either oral estriol along with Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.) or Copaxone plus inactive placebo to 130 women with relapsing-remitting MS. If successful, this clinical trial could lay the groundwork for a larger, definitive trial that could lead to a new treatment option for women with MS, an option that would be a pill, not an injection. Importantly, the exclusion criteria for the study have recently changed, such that patients previously treated with an interferon or Copaxone will no longer be excluded.
MS Trial Alert: Researchers Recruiting People with Early MS in San Francisco Bay Area for Study of Riluzole for Neuroprotection
Feb 10, 2009
Summary: Emmanuelle Waubant, MD, PhD, and investigators at the University of California, San Francisco are studying the possible nerve-protecting effects of oral riluzole (Rilutek®, sanofi-aventis) in people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS, a single, isolated neurologic event suggesting loss of nerve-insulating myelin), or early MS, when combined with Avonex® (interferon beta-1a, Biogen Idec). This study is funded by the National MS Society.