By An experimental new Multiple Sclerosis treatment drug named ONO-4641 has delivered an impressive set of Phase II clinical trial results. According to those involved, it slowed down associated brain lesion growth rates by up to 92 per cent.
The ONO-4641 MS drug Phase II trial involved just over 400 patients, all of them with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. The youngest participant was 18 and the oldest, 55, and each got one of three different medications: ONO-4641 in a 0.15mg dose, ONO-4641 in a 0.10mg dose or a placebo.
The patients taking part had something else in common, too – every single one had either experienced a minimum of two MS relapses within the past two years, a single relapse during the year just gone or had at least one new brain lesion develop over the preceding three months.
ONO-4641 Drug Study
During the assessment period, the ONO-4641 drug study patients had brain scans carried out at regular intervals. 26 weeks after the study began, the researchers noted that the 0.10mg ONO-4641 dose produced a 92 per cent lesion growth rate drop.
One per cent of those taking this option experienced side effects, compared to four per cent of those on the 0.15mg dose. Among these side effects were shifts in blood pressure and heart beat rates.
ONO-4641 MS Treatment
The ONO-4641 MS treatment study was backed by Ono Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, which developed the drug, and carried out by a team including representatives from the Rocky Mountain MS Center. Details of ONO-4641’s performance are now set to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s upcoming meeting, taking place between 21-28 April in New Orleans.
“MS is a complex disease that affects each person differently and so it is important for people with MS to have access to a variety of options for safe and effective therapies”, the National MS Society’s Nicholas LaRocca explained, in a statement. He added: “Based on this phase 2 study, ONO-4641 appears promising and so we look forward to the results of larger studies of this new agent.”
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