Antibiotics to treat Multiple Sclerosis? New study shows positive effects

Antibiotics to treat Multiple Sclerosis? New study shows positive effects

Researchers found that adding an antibiotic to the therapy plan reduces relapse rates and brain lesion in multiple sclerosis.

This is interesting since multiple sclerosis is known to be an autoimmune disease. Meaning, the immune system of the human body attacks cells of the own body. Antibiotics are usually used in infectious diseases (a bacterium is attacking the cells of the body).

This would support previous studies suggesting that Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is linked to the development of MS.

The new study could show that a certain antibiotic shows positive effects in multiple sclerosis treatment. The antibiotic is called RHB-104 and developed by RedHill Biopharma.

The Study

It was a small Phase 2a clinical trial including 18 participants (10 finished) with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The participants were treated with interferon beta-1a for an average of five years before entering the study

• RHB-104 for 24 weeks, as an add-on to interferon beta-1a therapy.

• Patients were monitored for an additional 24 weeks, during which they returned to interferon beta-1a treatment alone.

The Results

People receiving the antibiotic (RHB-104) in addition to their usual MS treatment (interferon beta-1a) showed less relapses compared to people receiving their usual MS treatment alone.

• ARR (annualized relapse rate) with antibiotic: 0.29 during the first 24 weeks

• ARR without antibiotics (previous trials): 0.31 to 0.67 for Avonex, 0.39 to 0.91 for Rebif

More people receiving the antibiotic (RHB-104) in addition to their usual MS treatment are relapse free compared to people receiving their usual MS treatment alone.

• Relapse free with antibiotics: 88% (first 24 weeks), 93% (following 24 weeks)

• Relapse free without antibiotics (previous studies): 63% (Avonex), 75% (Rebif)

People receiving the antibiotic (RHB-104) in addition to their usual MS treatment (interferon beta-1a) showed less brain lesions compared to people receiving their usual MS treatment alone.

The Conclusion

Ira Kalfus, MD, Medical Director of RedHill and the CEASE-MS study said, “We are very pleased with the final results from the CEASE-MS Phase IIa proof-of-concept study with RHB-104 for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The findings from the study, including safety, clinical and MRI, support the therapeutic potential of RHB-104 as an add-on therapy in RRMS.

However, the study group was very small and future research will be needed to support the findings.

Source: RedHill

MS Multiple Sclerosis – German Neuroscience Center Dubai

Vitamin D plays a part in regulating the immune system in the human body. As Multiple Sclerosis is an immune disease, Vit D could have a protective/modulating effect that influences the disease positively. read more New Australian study showed again the link between too less sunlight / Vit D Deficiency and Multiple Sclerosis.