ECTRIMS 2016: An Overview of Key Outcomes

Each year, the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) holds the largest MS research meeting in the world.   In 2016, this event was held in London, England, between September 14 and 17.  While MStranslate was unable to secure the funding required to attend, we have made a concerted effort to monitor and report on key meeting outcomes from afar.  Shown below are the tweets published during this time, complemented by a brief explanation of the findings presented.

GNbAC1 as a Potential Treatment for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)

GeNeuro announced at ECTRIMS that recruitment for their CHANGE-MS Phase 2b clinical trial is ahead of schedule.  This trial aims to test the effectiveness of their antibody therapy, GNbAC1, as a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).  Their theory is that viruses that have been incorporated into the human genome, known as endogenous retroviruses, are a potential cause of MS.  The antibody works to target and stop an inflammatory protein expressed by these viruses, which they believe contributes to lesion formation.

Learn more here.

Ocrelizumab as a Potential Treatment for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)

Genentech, a member of Roche, released more positive news regarding their new MS treatment, ocrelizumab.  Following data presented at previous conferences, they confirmed the benefits seen in people with primary progressive MS.  The results of this Phase III trial are critically important, as no current therapies exist for people with PPMS.  In addition to this, they also showed that ocrelizumab is an effective treatment for people with RRMS.  In this Phase III trial, they showed that a greater proportion of people using ocrelizumab achieved a ’no evidence of disease activity’ status compared to Rebif.

Learn more here.

The Role of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Lipid Levels in Multiple Sclerosis

Recently, a large amount of attention has been placed on the importance of diet and exercise in the management of multiple sclerosis.  Adding further evidence to this theory, researchers from the Menzies Institute of Medical Research in Tasmania have shown that lowering weight and reducing lipid levels correspond to better health outcomes.  In particular, these factors decrease disease activity and progression in people with MS.

Learn more here.

Diet and its Influence on Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis

Continuing on this theme, the effect of diet was explored in children with MS by researchers at the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of California, San Francisco.  In this relatively small study, it was found that children with high-fat diets had a higher risk of relapse.  On the other hand, children whose diet consisted of a high intake of vegetables had a lower risk of relapse.  This provides another piece of evidence towards the importance of a healthy lifestyle as part of any MS management plan.

Learn more here.

The Use of Dimethyl Fumerate by Asian Populations

Dimethyl fumarate, marketed as Tecfidera, has been shown to be an effective MS therapy for people with MS in Caucasian cohorts.  However, until recently, little was known about whether or not it was also a useful drug for people with MS in Asian populations.  At this years ECTRIMS meeting, researchers were able to confirm that dimethyl fumarate was effective and safe for people in the Asian-Pacific populations.

Learn more here.

A Simple Blood Test to Monitor Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Effectiveness

Whilst many therapies are now available for people with RRMS, the responses between individuals to these treatments are still variable. For this reason, it is important to be able to monitor the effectiveness of these medications.  At ECTRIMS, a team from the Karolinska University in Sweden presented information about a potential novel way of doing this.  Using a simple blood test, they have demonstrated that measuring the levels of a protein (neurofilament-light chain) can provide information about treatment effectiveness.  This protein is released into the blood during instances of nerve cell injury or damage.  Therefore, checking these levels and seeing if they decrease over the course of treatment to the levels of healthy individuals, can suggest that the drug is working to reduce disease activity.

Learn more here.

Fluoxetine as a Potential Treatment for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers from Vrije University (Belgium) presented data at ECTRIMS related to the potential use of an antidepressant, fluoxetine, as a treatment for people with progressive MS.  In this study, they found that no significant difference was observed between people taking the drug compared to placebo.  The researchers contend that although it didn’t achieve the primary or secondary endpoints, a positive trend was observed in some individuals and that it might be worth investigating further.  Some adverse effects were also seen in the people taking fluoxetine, which would need to be addressed.

Learn more here.

Siponimod as a Potential Treatment for Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)

Novartis presented data on their novel compound, siponimod, for the treatment of secondary progressive MS (SPMS).  The results from this Phase III clinical trial indicated that individuals taking siponimod had a significantly reduced risk of disability progression compared to those on placebo.  Earlier in the year, Novartis released Phase II clinical trial data showing that siponimod is also effective as a treatment in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).  Due to the large nature of the Phase III trial for SPMS and the lack of available effective medications, it is possible that siponimod may be granted regulatory approval without further trials.  We will continue to provide information on this as it develops.

Learn more here.