New Research Results from New Orleans

The 2012 American Academy of Neurology meeting just wrapped up in New Orleans.    Some highlights included:

CombiRx Trial (sponsored by the National Institutes of Health):  1008 multiple sclerosis patients were followed over 3 years on either Avonex alone, Copaxone alone or the combination of Avonex and Copaxone.   The combination of treatments  was not better than Avonex alone or Copaxone alone in decreasing relapses or disability.  The percentage of patients relapsing on the combination was 23.1%, on Copaxone alone was 20.5% and Avonex alone was 26%.   The combination treatment did have an impact on some MRI results such as the percentage of patients free of new MRI activity at 3 years. 

CARE MS 2 Trial:  Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) IV treatment one a year drop new relapses by half (49.4%) compared to Rebif in a 2 year trial.   People with MS treated with alemtuzumab also were less likely to progress in disabiltiy and have less MRI activity.  Some risks of this treatment are serious infections (3.7% risk), thyroid disorders,  and low platelets. 

More to come….