Very
interesting article is here.
Just to
summarize the situation with MS treatment: we have very nice treatment Copaxone
which will
become generic in a couple of years. Then we have an experimental oral drug BG-12:
The company's experimental drug BG-12 (dimethyl
fumarate) is in late stage clinical trials. BG-12 is designed to treat
relapsing-remitting MS. When given twice daily, BG-12 cut the relapse rate by
44 percent at two years compared with a placebo. When given three times a day,
it cut the relapse rate by 51 percent. If approved BG-12 could become the
world's leading treatment for MS.
44 and 51%
are much-much better than Copaxone
(which) reduced the rate by 29 percent versus a placebo.
And now we
have yet another experimental drug: Laquinimod.
At this moment I will not say much about the clinical trials, I will just see on
the structures of the drugs! Something unusual? Yes, both compounds look
extremely simple (heterocycle molecule on the picture is Laquinimod), especially BG-12! And I would like to ask anybody who works
in this field: how in the world these simple compounds can treat MS??? One of
the answers is here:
The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but
preclinical studies have suggested that BG-12 may have complex neuroprotective
and anti-inflammatory effects, acting via the Nrf-2 pathway. Activation of the
Nrf-2 pathway defends against oxidative-stress induced neuronal death, protects
the blood-brain barrier and supports maintenance of myelin integrity in the
central nervous system.
But this
answer is basically making the picture even more complicated…
I cannot
connect the dots… And in my experience it usually does mean just one thing:
BLUFF! And the first I could imagine that clinical trials with BG-12 were
accomplished in a “creative” way. Let’s wait what FDA and EMA will say – we
have 4 years to wait:
An extension study for participants on the DEFINE and
CONFIRM studies to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of BG-12 for a
further two years. Estimated completion date June 2016.
I would
like to wish a success for all the companies who are developing novel drugs
against MS. I hope that BG-12, Laquinimod and other novel drugs will be helpful
against MS – no doubts about it! What drug will be more useful? Only time will
show…
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