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Does early treatment with alemtuzumab prevent progression?

ocrelizumab infusion drip
Lead researcher:
Professor Alasdair Coles
Based at:
University of Cambridge
MS Society funding:
£92,613
Status:
Active

About the project

Currently there is no consensus on how best to analyse the effectiveness of MS therapies in the long-term. This exciting research will allow for effective assessment of long-term data from people with MS who have been treated with alemtuzumab (Lemtrada). The aim is to provide researchers across the globe with access to data from 1991-present, so we can identify the best way of measuring effectiveness of certain treatments.

This will help to answer the question ‘does early treatment with disease modifying drugs improve the prognosis for people with MS?’

Results so far

Alasdair’s team has shown, for the first time, that disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can delay the development of secondary progressive MS. This happens when people with relapsing MS are treated within 5 years of when their first symptoms occur.

This is the first time that the effect of drugs on the transition from relapsing MS to secondary progressive MS has been analysed. The researchers will continue to monitor and assess people who have been or are currently being treated with alemtuzumab, to add to the growing bank of evidence.

How will it help people with MS?

This research is providing people with MS with the information they need to be able to make informed decisions about their treatment. This can help people to weigh up the effectiveness of a treatment against the potential side effects.

Gaining information about the effectiveness of early intensive treatments in relation to transitioning to progressive MS, gives people with MS better certainty about how their condition may progress.

The difference you can make?

Helping to fund research like this will enable people with MS to have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their treatment and give greater certainty about their future.