Cancer drug to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis

To treat the drug rituximab (Rituxan), for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and cancer (Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), the progression of multiple sclerosis. According to American scientists, the tool will provide a better existence today of drugs to New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists at the University of California (University of California) conducted a study with 104 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. On 1 and 15 Day of the study, 69 patients did intravenous rituximab, other injected placebo. Monitoring of patients, which lasted 48 weeks, contain a repetition of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They found that patients treated with rituximab, thereby reducing the number and size of inflammatory lesions in the brain. Increased, for example, at 36 weeks of observation, the participants in the control group, the average size of the lesions with 418 cubic millimeters, while those that rituximab - decreased by 175.5 cubic millimeter, the scientists reported. In addition, the administration of the drug led to a decline in the number of recurrences: in the placebo group during the observation period of recurrence in 40% of patients entered in the group treated with rituximab - 20.3%. After leader Stephen Hauser (Stephen Hauser), the effect of two injections to study further for all 48 weeks of observation. Moreover, the number of adverse effects on oral medication was about the same as in the control group. However, the drug can not be recommended for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as the evaluation of long-term and rare side effects have been carried out, scientists have warned. Drug Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that reduces the level of circulating B lymphocytes. The positive effect of this drug is an acknowledgment of the role of B lymphocytes in the progression of multiple sclerosis, said Hauser. Multiple sclerosis - a severe neurological disorder resulting from the gradual destruction of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers cells of the immune system of the patient. The disease is accompanied by poor coordination, speech, and complete or partial loss of mobility. MS affects about two million people in the world.