Could MS Doctors be Treating the Wrong Disease?
source: http://ms.about.com/b/2009/06/09/could-ms-doctors-be-treating-the-wrong-disease.htm
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- MRF_Justine
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Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D from About.com explains why she thinks that researchers may be on the wrong track due to the animal models they rely on for research:
"The thinking goes like this: the animal model of multiple sclerosis (which is used for treatment and drug development) is very different from the human experience of multiple sclerosis. In the animal model, the MS-like condition (in which the myelin indeed is attacked by the immune system) leads to death or disability, while in people the course of multiple sclerosis is much more varible (and only rarely leads to death). Therefore, claim the researchers, these are really two different diseases (with the further proof that, despite extensive research, these animal-based treatments do not "cure" MS)."
Read more: http://ms.about.com/b/2009/06/09/could-ms-doctors-be-treating-the-wrong-disease....
Rustry Bromley, COO of MRF, took the time to respond to this blog:
MS research has relied heavily on the EAE model and yet virtually every therapy that worked in EAE has not been successful in the clinic.
Conversely Tysabri didn’t work very well in the EAE model but has been very successful in people with MS.
The Myelin Repair Foundation is always keeping in mind that animal models are just that, models, not the real human disease. While the MRF does use two different EAE models we are very conscious of their limitations. Because of those limitations we also use other animal models that do not rely on activated T-cells to damage myelin.
The referenced article makes a very good point that the immune response in MS, while it certainly causes significant damage in MS, may not be the underlying cause of the disease. Article: http://jrsm.rsmjournals.com/cgi/content/full/98/7/303?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&...
At this point, we are remaining open minded about what causes MS and are willing to recognize the value of alternative hypothesis.
"The thinking goes like this: the animal model of multiple sclerosis (which is used for treatment and drug development) is very different from the human experience of multiple sclerosis. In the animal model, the MS-like condition (in which the myelin indeed is attacked by the immune system) leads to death or disability, while in people the course of multiple sclerosis is much more varible (and only rarely leads to death). Therefore, claim the researchers, these are really two different diseases (with the further proof that, despite extensive research, these animal-based treatments do not "cure" MS)."
Read more: http://ms.about.com/b/2009/06/09/could-ms-doctors-be-treating-the-wrong-disease....
Rustry Bromley, COO of MRF, took the time to respond to this blog:
MS research has relied heavily on the EAE model and yet virtually every therapy that worked in EAE has not been successful in the clinic.
Conversely Tysabri didn’t work very well in the EAE model but has been very successful in people with MS.
The Myelin Repair Foundation is always keeping in mind that animal models are just that, models, not the real human disease. While the MRF does use two different EAE models we are very conscious of their limitations. Because of those limitations we also use other animal models that do not rely on activated T-cells to damage myelin.
The referenced article makes a very good point that the immune response in MS, while it certainly causes significant damage in MS, may not be the underlying cause of the disease. Article: http://jrsm.rsmjournals.com/cgi/content/full/98/7/303?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&...
At this point, we are remaining open minded about what causes MS and are willing to recognize the value of alternative hypothesis.
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- tags:
- Multiple Sclerosis
