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Society Helps Fund “ChariotMS” Clinical Trial in U.K. for People With Advanced MS

November 19, 2020

One of the first multiple sclerosis clinical trials to focus on people who walk with difficulty, or not at all, is about to begin in the United Kingdom. The ChariotMS trial will test whether cladribine tablets (Mavenclad®) can slow the progression of upper limb disability in people with advanced MS, who are rarely included in clinical trials. Mavenclad is an approved therapy for highly active relapsing MS.
 
There is an unmet need for more treatments for people with progressive MS. Clinical trials for MS have generally not included people who are reliant on wheelchairs, and there hasn’t been an emphasis on preserving arm and hand function. Having the use of the upper limbs can make the difference between remaining independent and requiring substantial daily help from others.
 
Starting January 2021, ChariotMS will recruit 200 people with MS who can walk only a short distance with two crutches, or are unable to walk at all but retain some upper limb function. ChariotMS is the first large trial with no upper age limit. The two-year trial will take place at 20 centers across the UK under the direction of lead investigator Professor Klaus Schmierer (Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust).
 
The ChariotMS trial is funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme, which is a partnership between the UK’s Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research, and will receive additional funding from the MS Society (UK), the National MS Society (USA), Barts Charity, and Merck Serono.

“We are very pleased to be able to help support this important clinical trial for people with MS for whom there are so few treatment options,” said Dr. Bruce Bebo, Executive Vice President of Research for the National MS Society (USA). This international collaboration is just one example of the comprehensive ways the Society aggressively pursues the most promising pathways to cures that stop MS, restore function, and end MS forever.
 
Read more about ChariotMS
Read more about the Society's research activities to cure MS
 

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalMSsociety.org, Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.

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© 2024 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its Identification Number (EIN) is 13-5661935.