Exploring Why Physical Activity is Reduced in People with MS: Society-funded Investigators Seek Participants

Aug 19, 2008
Investigators funded by the National MS Society are seeking people with MS to participate in a study exploring whether the frequency and severity of MS-related symptoms influence physical activity. Robert W. Motl, PhD (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and colleagues are tracking changes in activity over three years in 250 individuals with relapsing-remitting MS, a course of MS characterized by flare-ups followed by complete or partial remissions. This study could improve our knowledge of the factors that reduce physical activity in people with MS, and help design programs to increase it.

MS Trial Alert: Study of Ocrelizumab Recruiting People with Relapsing-Remitting MS

Aug 13, 2008
Summary: Investigators worldwide are recruiting 200 people with relapsing-remitting MS* for a study of intravenous ocrelizumab (Genentech, Inc., and F. Hoffman La-Roche, Ltd.). Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It targets a part of the immune system called the B cell by attaching to a specific protein on the B cell known as CD20; this attachment then leads to a removal of these cells from the blood. The experimental drug is being evaluated in two doses, and in comparison with Avonex® (interferon beta-1a, Biogen Idec) and inactive placebo. The study is funded by Genentech, inc., and F. Hoffman La-Roche, Ltd.

MS Trial Alert - Single-Dose Experimental IV Drug “RTL1000” Recruiting MS Patients at Five Sites Nationwide

Jul 18, 2008
Investigators at six sites across the United States are enrolling participants in a clinical trial evaluating the safety of a single dose of an intravenous drug called RTL1000 (Artielle ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc.) compared to inactive placebo in 36 people with relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.

MS Trial Alert: Study of Oral Teriflunomide (HMR1726) Recruiting People at High Risk for MS Worldwide

Jun 12, 2008
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 - Participants Sought for Two New Clinical Trials of Oral Drug BG00012 for Relapsing-Remitting MS - UPDATED

May 21, 2008
Enrollment has begun for two large-scale clinical trials testing the safety and effectiveness of the experimental oral drug BG00012 (dimethyl fumarate, Biogen Idec, Inc) in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. These phase III studies are known as the DEFINE study and the CONFIRM study. The DEFINE study compares two different doses of BG00012 against inactive placebo, and is enrolling 1011 patients at 160 sites in North America, Europe and other parts of the world. The CONFIRM study compares two different doses of BG00012, or injections of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries), against inactive placebo.

MS Trial Alert: France: Small Study of PI-2301, Co-polymer, Recruiting People with Secondary-Progressive MS

May 19, 2008
Investigators in France are recruiting up to 53 people with secondary-progressive MS for a study comparing PI-2301 (Peptimmune, Inc.) with inactive placebo. Secondary-progressive MS starts with a relapsing-remitting course and then transitions to a steadily worsening disease course with or without occasional flare-ups. The study is sponsored by Peptimmune, and the primary investigator is Gilles Edan, MD (CHU Rennes, France).

MS Trial Alert: Investigators Recruiting Participants with MS for Two Studies of Alemtuzumab

May 16, 2008
Investigators worldwide are recruiting subjects for two studies of alemtuzumab (Genzyme Corporation) for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. In the CARE-MSSM I study, approximately 525 subjects at over 100 study sites will be randomly assigned to receive alemtuzumab or Rebif® (interferon beta 1a, EMD Serono Inc. and Pfizer). In the CARE-MSSM II study, approximately 1200 subjects at over 250 study sites will be randomly assigned to receive one of two alemtuzumab treatment regimens, or Rebif. These studies are funded by Genzyme Corporation and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals.

MS Trial Alert: Oral Treatment (“CDP323”) Under Study in Relapsing MS

Apr 30, 2008
Investigators at 61 sites worldwide are recruiting 279 people with relapsing forms of MS for a study comparing two doses of oral CDP323 (UCB Pharma & Biogen Idec, Inc.) with inactive placebo. CDP323 is an alpha-4 integrin antagonist and may inhibit the movement of immune cells into the central nervous system.

MS Trial Alert: Clinical Trial of Sex Hormone Estriol Recruiting Women with MS to Participate - UPDATED

Apr 25, 2008
The National MS Society is funding a team of investigators at seven 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: Study of Long-term Safety of Tysabri® To Enroll 2500 in North America

Apr 04, 2008
Investigators are enrolling 2500 people with relapsing forms of MS at sites in the United States and Canada to study the long-term safety of routine use of Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals). Biogen Idec is sponsoring this study. For the purposes of this study, “relapsing forms of MS” would include individuals who experience repeated, acute attacks or relapses of symptoms, followed by periods of full or partial recovery.

MS Trial Alert - Investigators Enrolling People in UK with MS in Study of Cannabis for Neuroprotection, and in Study of Cannabis for Muscle Stiffness

Apr 02, 2008
Investigators in the United Kingdom, led by primary investigator John Zajicek, MD (Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth, UK) are recruiting people with MS for two studies using experimental cannabis (marijuana-derived) treatments. The CUPID study is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of using the cannabis derivative dronabinol to protect the nervous system from damage and slow down disease progression in 492 people with primary-progressive or secondary-progressive MS. The MUSEC study is evaluating the use of an oral cannabis extract for treating muscle stiffness in 400 people with all types of MS.

MS Trial Alert - Large Study of Oral Laquinimod Seeking Participants

Mar 07, 2008
Investigators at sites worldwide are studying oral laquinimod (Teva Pharmaceuticals), a drug that is believed to modify immune function, in 1,000 people globally with relapsing-remitting MS (RR MS, a course of MS characterized by clearly defined flare-ups followed by complete or partial remissions).

MS Trial Alert - Five U.S. Sites Enrolling to Evaluate Effects of Tysabri on Vaccination

Feb 29, 2008
Researchers nationwide are enrolling people who have relapsing forms of MS in a study to evaluate the effects of Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals) on vaccination. Sites will recruit approximately 46 patients for this study, which is funded by Biogen Idec.

MS Trial Alert: Clinical Trial of Investigational, Once-Daily Oral FTY720 Recruiting Participants with MS across the U.S.

Feb 08, 2008
Investigators across the United States are enrolling participants in a clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a once-a-day pill called fingolimod (also known as FTY720, by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.) compared to inactive placebo in 1080 people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.