A vaccine to protect against TB may help keep at-risk patients from developing MS.
“Sclerosis” is the Latin word for “scaring,” so multiple sclerosis means “many scars” or lesions on a person’s spinal cord and brain. According to the MacDonald Criteria used to diagnose MS, more than one episode—resulting in multiple lesions or scars—is required for a definite MS diagnosis.
Patients who have only had MS-like symptoms once are classified as having clinical isolated syndrome (CIS). Only about half of those with CIS go on to develop MS within two years.
Learn the Early Warning Signs of MS »
Seventy-three volunteers with CIS took part in the study. About half of the participants received one shot of a live vaccine called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), which is used to prevent tuberculosis in some countries.
The rest of the volunteers received a placebo. All of the participants were given MRI scans once a month for six months, and both groups were given the MS drug interferon beta-1a (Avonex) for a year.
After the first six months, those who had received the TB vaccine showed fewer MS-like lesions on MRI scans compared to the placebo group. By the end of the study period, 58 percent of the vaccinated volunteers had not developed MS, compared 30 percent of those who had been given the placebo.
It Works, But Doctors Don't Know Why
While encouraging news, why the vaccine works is unclear. “There seems to be complex multiple effects on brain inflammation,” said study author Giovanni Ristori, M.D., Ph.D., of Sapienza University of Rome, in an interview with Healthline. “Other recent studies on BCG in autoimmunity point to a neuroprotective effect produced by cytokines [which help regulate immune response] that is especially induced by BCG.”Even used for its original purpose, this TB vaccine “is only effective in 50 to 60 percent of all cases,” said Ristori, but researchers were motivated to study it further when a pilot study in patients diagnosed with MS revealed that “BGC was safe and effective in reducing disease activity on MRI.”
“The idea that MS is not a single disease is common among researchers,” said Ristori, and could explain why this TB vaccine was not 100 percent effective at preventing patients with CIS from developing MS.
Discover Treatments for Acute MS Flare-Ups »
As with any medication or therapy, safety is as important as effectiveness. “BCG proved to be safe in virtually all patients who took it,” said Ristori.
And the fact that the virus is live is no cause for concern. He points out that even the live flu vaccine has been proven safe for MS patients. “[The flu vaccine] may be even advisable just to prevent those upper respiratory infections that may favor MS relapses,” Ristori said.
“We plan to design phase III studies in people with a first demyelinating episode and possibly in subjects ‘at risk’ of MS,” said Ristori. While further studies are needed, these preliminary results promise that a vaccine for MS could be within reach.
A vaccine to protect against TB may help keep at-risk patients from developing MS.
“Sclerosis” is the Latin word for “scaring,” so multiple sclerosis means “many scars” or lesions on a person’s spinal cord and brain. According to the MacDonald Criteria used to diagnose MS, more than one episode—resulting in multiple lesions or scars—is required for a definite MS diagnosis.
Patients who have only had MS-like symptoms once are classified as having clinical isolated syndrome (CIS). Only about half of those with CIS go on to develop MS within two years.
Learn the Early Warning Signs of MS »
Seventy-three volunteers with CIS took part in the study. About half of the participants received one shot of a live vaccine called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), which is used to prevent tuberculosis in some countries.
The rest of the volunteers received a placebo. All of the participants were given MRI scans once a month for six months, and both groups were given the MS drug interferon beta-1a (Avonex) for a year.
After the first six months, those who had received the TB vaccine showed fewer MS-like lesions on MRI scans compared to the placebo group. By the end of the study period, 58 percent of the vaccinated volunteers had not developed MS, compared 30 percent of those who had been given the placebo.
It Works, But Doctors Don't Know Why
While encouraging news, why the vaccine works is unclear. “There seems to be complex multiple effects on brain inflammation,” said study author Giovanni Ristori, M.D., Ph.D., of Sapienza University of Rome, in an interview with Healthline. “Other recent studies on BCG in autoimmunity point to a neuroprotective effect produced by cytokines [which help regulate immune response] that is especially induced by BCG.”Even used for its original purpose, this TB vaccine “is only effective in 50 to 60 percent of all cases,” said Ristori, but researchers were motivated to study it further when a pilot study in patients diagnosed with MS revealed that “BGC was safe and effective in reducing disease activity on MRI.”
“The idea that MS is not a single disease is common among researchers,” said Ristori, and could explain why this TB vaccine was not 100 percent effective at preventing patients with CIS from developing MS.
Discover Treatments for Acute MS Flare-Ups »
As with any medication or therapy, safety is as important as effectiveness. “BCG proved to be safe in virtually all patients who took it,” said Ristori.
And the fact that the virus is live is no cause for concern. He points out that even the live flu vaccine has been proven safe for MS patients. “[The flu vaccine] may be even advisable just to prevent those upper respiratory infections that may favor MS relapses,” Ristori said.
“We plan to design phase III studies in people with a first demyelinating episode and possibly in subjects ‘at risk’ of MS,” said Ristori. While further studies are needed, these preliminary results promise that a vaccine for MS could be within reach.
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/ms-could-tb-vaccine-delay-ms-onset-120413
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Dear Fellow New Yorker,
In the last three years, we have put New York's fiscal house in order by controlling spending and cutting taxes -- and the global business community has taken notice. We are transforming New York State into a top destination for companies from around the world to locate, invest, and grow with initiatives like START-UP NY to provide tax-free areas and support to businesses. The Regional Economic Development Councils are another key part of moving New York forward and creating jobs in every part of our state. For the third year running, councils made of up local leaders from every corner of our state put forward innovative economic development projects from their region. The Regional Councils were empowered to change the face of economic development in their communities and the result has been better than we could have ever imagined: we are creating new technologies, building hospitals, and supporting innovation that will dictate the future of our economic growth. Today, Governor Cuomo announced that $750 million has been awarded through Round Three of the Regional Economic Development initiative to help fund 824 projects throughout the state. Long Island was designated a Top Performer and awarded $83 million in REDC funding. Highlights of projects include:
This third round of Regional Economic Development Council awards continues the state’s commitment to these creative and groundbreaking plans, while recognizing the immense progress that has already been made in revitalizing our economy and putting New Yorkers back to work. New York is rising once again. Sincerely, The Office of the Governor |
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This is a message from the New York State Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224.
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