News

Multiple sclerosis breakthrough - 01 March 2010

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have been given new hope after research reveals that a daily pill halves the risk of symptoms returning.

Research shows that the drug fingolimod halves the number of disabling relapses in MS patients and slows the progression of the disease.

Fingolimod was tested against the current standard treatment of beta-interferon, which is injected into the muscle each week.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust was one of four centres in the country to take part in the research, which was part of the largest ever clinical trial programme ever conducted into MS.

Consultant neurologist Dr Richard Nicholas, who is honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College London, led the study at the Trust.

He said: "This treatment is a major breakthrough for MS sufferers and has the potential to change people’s lives.

“One of the biggest fears with MS is that a relapse can happen at any time and cause irreversible disability. A daily pill that reduces relapses by half gives people with MS more confidence to plan for the future. It is also more convenient and acceptable than weekly injections, which can be painful.

“Fingolimod offers real hope to MS patients."

MS is the most common neurological condition among young adults in the UK, affecting approximately 100,000 people.

Symptoms can include loss of sensation and balance, fatigue, paralysis, pain, memory and vision problems, incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

The condition is the result of the immune system attacking the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, making it difficult for messages to travel from the brain to various areas of the body, causing disability.

Patient case study

Elizabeth Kinder picMS patient Elizabeth Kinder, pictured left, said she felt extremely lucky to take part in a trial testing a new pill to treat the disease.

Elizabeth said she believed the daily fingolimod pill was helping to keep her MS at bay, allowing her to continue being an active mum, writer and producer.

“I’ve only had one relapse since entering the trial in September 2007 so the pill offers me hope," said Elizabeth.

“Participating in a trial made me feel like I was taking control of my illness rather than it taking control of me. It felt like a really positive thing to do, not just because it might benefit my health but also because it would increase understanding of a disease about which relatively little is known."

During the first phase of the trial, Elizabeth injected herself every week with beta-interferon, the traditional treatment for MS. In the second phase, she took fingolimod.

"The injections were unpleasant as the needles seemed enormous and were inserted deep into the thigh muscle. But the worst thing was that within three hours of administering them, I’d have flu-like symptoms which would last for about two days.

“I haven’t had any side-effects with the pill and given that it’s obviously easier to take than injections, fingolimod is a much better alternative."

Elizabeth praised the outstanding care she has received from our MS team and said being cared for by such brilliant and dedicated professionals was hugely reassuring.

ENDS

For further information contact Cassie Zachariou, communications manager, on 020 3312 2200 or cassie.zachariou@imperial.nhs.uk.