Research and drug development continues to advance to help more people with multiple sclerosis. Bobbie J. Severson, an advance registered nurse practitioner at the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Swedish Neuroscience Institute (Seattle, WA), was the guest speaker at the MS/Cancer Support Group June conference call. The group is a collaboration with the National MS Society, Lonestar Chapter and The American Cancer Society. She spoke about new developments in MS treatment.
Severson first discussed, Ampyra, a drug that improves walking speed in multiple sclerosis patients. Its generic name is dalfampridine and is an oral tablet taken twice a day.
Ampyra, a broad spectrum potassium channel blocker, produced an increase in walking speed in clinical trials. It is not known how it works but is thought to enhance conduction of impulses from the brain to the muscles.
"The improvement in walking speed can be very helpful, for example, when walking at the mall, participating in family activities or when needing to go to the bathroom," said Severson.
Severson added, "Walking speed can vary during the day, depending on how fatigued someone is, how much walking or exercising someone has done, and how heat sensitive the person is. These factors indirectly may have an impact on Ampyra performance."
Severson discussed fingolimod, a daily MS pill being developed by Novartis. Its trade name has not yet been determined. This disease-modifying drug may be approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2010.
Fingolimod slows the course of the relapsing form of MS and significantly reduces MS attacks. Fingolimod does produce side effects and patients must be monitored regularly.
Yuriko Courtney, MS research project coordinator, also at the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, is conducting a study on patients with primary progressive MS.
"Courtney has started recruiting study participants this year. We are enthusiastic about this research project," because very few studies are conducted on primary progressive MS, said Severson. Contact Courtney at 206-320-2647 for more information about the study.
"We are very optimistic about the drug developments in treating patients with MS," said Severson. "MS is a disease that a lot of smart people are interested in and are collaborating nationally and internationally and sharing their knowledge for better patient outcomes. A lot can be done for a person diagnosed with MS."
Severson recommended that patients go to the MS website at www.nationalmssociety.org for the latest information on MS treatments.
In terms of medical care, Severson recommends MS patients search out a neurologist who is a specialist in that field.
"If you don't know a neurologist with a MS specialty, contact the National MS Society who can provide leads for you.
A MS neurologist knows the latest treatments and if patients are eligible for research studies," suggested Severson.
