Tysabri reduces vision loss in recurring multiple sclerosis

Posted : Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:41:01 GMT
By : Zipporah Koganowich
Category : Health
News Alerts by Email ( click here )
Health News | Home
A drug, which reduces relapse rates in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), might also be useful in preventing vision loss, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The drug called natalizumab (brand name Tysabri) is commonly used in MS patients to reduce disability and to also slow down possible relapse.

Vision loss is one of the most debilitating symptoms in patients suffering from relapsing MS. The current review analyzed the results of two trials involving 2,138 men and women. The trials called AFFIRM and SENTINEL, had participants with recurring MS.

Over 50 percent of the participants in the trials were given Tysabri for two years. They received Tysabri once every four weeks. Vision was evaluated using an eye chart that had low-contrast letter imprinted on it.

Researchers found that patients taking Tysabri had a 47 percent reduced loss of eyesight as compared to patients on a placebo. The study was funded by Tysabri makers Biogen Idec and Elan.

"Not only does natalizumab prevent the worsening of vision loss in people with relapsing MS, but it is also associated with significant reductions in the likelihood of sustained vision loss due to inflammatory demyelination of nerve fibers that connect to the eye, a common cause of visual loss in MS,” said lead author Laura J. Balcer, an associate professor of neurology at Penn.

However while Tysabri is promising, the risks must also be evaluated. The drug is known to cause a fatal, but rare condition called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

The details of the study appear in the April 17 issue of Neurology.

Copyright, respective author or news agency

Share/Save/Bookmark

Article : Tysabri reduces vision loss in recurring multiple sclerosis
Print this article
Email this article

Stay Updated
News gadget on your Google homepage
Subscribe to a news feed in Google Reader


Related News

US House passes major health reform - Summary
Washington - The US House of Representatives passed a landmark health reform bill aimed at cutting costs and extending coverage to Americans who lack insurance. The House vote late Saturday marked the biggest victory yet for President Barack Obama's ...

House passes major health reform - Update
Washington - The US House of Representatives late Saturday passed a landmark health reform bill aimed at cutting costs and extending coverage to Americans who lack insurance. The House vote marked the biggest victory yet for President Barack Obama's ...

Bulgaria closes schools to curb flu outbreak
Sofia - Bulgarian health authorities said Friday that they ordered schools to remain closed Monday in order to try to curb the spread of swine flu. As the number of the infected continued to rise quickly, the government also said hospitals were to de...

Drug tested only on mice saves Australian baby
Sydney - An Australian doctor who used a German experimental drug that had been tested only on mice to save a baby's life left Friday to brief US and European medical authorities about the amazing success. In a race against time, doctors at the Monas...

US health reform wins major endorsements from doctors, seniors
Washington - President Barack Obama's hopes of overhauling the US health care system were given a major boost Thursday as two advocacy groups representing doctors and seniors backed the reforms. The American Medical Association (AMA) and AARP both is...

Charity warns West may be backtracking on AIDS treatment - Summary
Johannesburg - A leading international medical charity on Thursday warned that Western governments were showing signs of backtracking on their commitment to increase access to life-saving treatment for AIDS patients. Dr Tido von Schoen-Angerer, a dir...

Death toll still rising in Ukraine's flu outbreak
Kiev - The death toll in Ukraine's flu outbreak continued to rise on Thursday. A total of 95 persons have died from flu-related symptoms since the disease struck Ukraine's western provinces late last month, said Zinovy Mytnik, vice health minister, i...

Have your Say
Name
Email
Subject
Your Comment

Enter Verification code
 
  

 

 

More Health News click here
Follow The Earth Times
Subscribe to RSS Follow Earth Times on TwitterNews by email
Share/Save/Bookmark

 
 



 
Subscribe to free Earthtimes
News Alerts by Email Click here
For RSS Feeds Click here
or Create your own RSS

Add to Google Toolbar
Breaking News
Press Releases

 
 
Tysabri
Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Neurology


The Earth Times
News Category

© 2009 www.earthtimes.org, The Earth Times, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
Earth Times accept no responsibility or liability either directly or indirectly for views or opinions expressed in articles or comments.