I commend to your attention the ignorance, arrogance, stupidity and money is God attitude of many in the US. For example BCG, used all over the world, may treat autoimmune diseases. See eg pubmed.org ristori + bcg and pubmed.org faustman dl and faustmanlab.org. BCG is inexpensive outside the US. I ask your help to see that the work of Faustman et al is supported and that BCG is available in the US to all who seek same.
I have several autoimmune diseases and am at the very least have reduced my chances of contracting TB or multidrug resistant TB by taking BCG.
Ristori G in Rome is not far from the Vatican and the Catholic Health care system in the Catholic State of New York, Andrew Cuomo Presiding , may learn much from his work. see eg.
Result Filters
Neurology. 2014 Jan 7;82(1):41-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000438216.93319.ab. Epub 2013 Dec 4.
Effects of Bacille Calmette-Guerin after the first demyelinating event in the CNS.
Ristori G1, Romano S, Cannoni S, Visconti A, Tinelli E, Mendozzi L, Cecconi P, Lanzillo R, Quarantelli M, Buttinelli C, Gasperini C, Frontoni M, Coarelli G, Caputo D, Bresciamorra V, Vanacore N, Pozzilli C, Salvetti M.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) effects after clinically isolated syndromes (CIS).METHODS:
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive BCG or placebo and monitored monthly with brain MRI (6 scans). Both groups then entered a preplanned phase with IM interferon-β-1a for 12 months. From month 18 onward, the patients took the disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that their neurologist considered indicated in an open-label extension phase lasting up to 60 months.RESULTS:
Of 82 randomized subjects, 73 completed the study (33 vaccinated and 40 placebo). During the initial 6 months, the number of cumulative lesions was significantly lower in vaccinated people. The relative risks were 0.541 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.308-0.956; p = 0.03) for gadolinium-enhancing lesions (the primary endpoint), 0.364 (95% CI 0.207-0.639; p = 0.001) for new and enlarging T2-hyperintense lesions, and 0.149 (95% CI 0.046-0.416; p = 0.001) for new T1-hypointense lesions. The number of total T1-hypointense lesions was lower in the BCG group at months 6, 12, and 18: mean changes from baseline were -0.09 ± 0.72 vs 0.75 ± 1.81 (p = 0.01), 0.0 ± 0.83 vs 0.88 ± 2.21 (p = 0.08), and -0.21 ± 1.03 vs 1.00 ± 2.49 (p = 0.02). After 60 months, the cumulative probability of clinically definite multiple sclerosis was lower in the BCG + DMT arm (hazard ratio = 0.52, 95% CI 0.27-0.99; p < 0.05), and more vaccinated people remained DMT-free (odds ratio = 0.20, 95% CI 0.04-0.93; p = 0.04).CONCLUSIONS:
Early BCG may benefit CIS and affect its long-term course.CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE:
BCG, as compared to placebo, was associated with significantly reduced development of gadolinium-enhancing lesions in people with CIS for a 6-month period before starting immunomodulating therapy (Class I evidence).Comment in
- BCG vaccine for clinically isolated syndrome and MS: infections and protective immunity. [Neurology. 2014]
- Multiple sclerosis: disease activity is reduced in CIS after BCG vaccination. [Nat Rev Neurol. 2014]
- Effects of Bacille Calmette-Guérin after the first demyelinating event in the CNS. [Neurology. 2014]
- Neurology. 2014 Jul 15;83(3):293.
- PMID:
- 24306002
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
- PMCID:
- PMC3873620
- [Available on 2015/1/7]
RSSResult Filters
PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e41756. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041756. Epub 2012 Aug 8.
Proof-of-concept, randomized, controlled clinical trial of Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin for treatment of long-term type 1 diabetes.
Faustman DL1, Wang L, Okubo Y, Burger D, Ban L, Man G, Zheng H, Schoenfeld D, Pompei R, Avruch J, Nathan DM.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
No targeted immunotherapies reverse type 1 diabetes in humans. However, in a rodent model of type 1 diabetes, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) reverses disease by restoring insulin secretion. Specifically, it stimulates innate immunity by inducing the host to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which, in turn, kills disease-causing autoimmune cells and restores pancreatic beta-cell function through regeneration.METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Translating these findings to humans, we administered BCG, a generic vaccine, in a proof-of-principle, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of adults with long-term type 1 diabetes (mean: 15.3 years) at one clinical center in North America. Six subjects were randomly assigned to BCG or placebo and compared to self, healthy paired controls (n = 6) or reference subjects with (n = 57) or without (n = 16) type 1 diabetes, depending upon the outcome measure. We monitored weekly blood samples for 20 weeks for insulin-autoreactive T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and other autoantibodies, and C-peptide, a marker of insulin secretion. BCG-treated patients and one placebo-treated patient who, after enrollment, unexpectedly developed acute Epstein-Barr virus infection, a known TNF inducer, exclusively showed increases in dead insulin-autoreactive T cells and induction of Tregs. C-peptide levels (pmol/L) significantly rose transiently in two BCG-treated subjects (means: 3.49 pmol/L [95% CI 2.95-3.8], 2.57 [95% CI 1.65-3.49]) and the EBV-infected subject (3.16 [95% CI 2.54-3.69]) vs.1.65 [95% CI 1.55-3.2] in reference diabetic subjects. BCG-treated subjects each had more than 50% of their C-peptide values above the 95(th) percentile of the reference subjects. The EBV-infected subject had 18% of C-peptide values above this level.CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
We conclude that BCG treatment or EBV infection transiently modified the autoimmunity that underlies type 1 diabetes by stimulating the host innate immune response. This suggests that BCG or other stimulators of host innate immunity may have value in the treatment of long-term diabetes.TRIAL REGISTRATION:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00607230.Comment in
- Targeting innate immunity to treat long-term type 1 diabetes. [Regen Med. 2012]
- PMID:
- 22905105
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
- PMCID:
- PMC3414482
Asking the clergy: Missionary work and the Ebola outbreak
Travel deals
Kent Brantly, an American doctor and missionary, was discharged from Atlanta's Emory University Hospital Aug. 21. Another American aid worker, Nancy Writebol, was discharged from the same hospital Aug. 19.
When discharged, he said that God saved his life and that people should continue to pray for those suffering in West Africa.
Now, the question becomes: "How does one answer the call to give aid while making sure they're not endangering themselves needlessly?"
This week's clergy discuss missionary work and missionaries.
The Rev. Larry D. Jennings Sr., Bethel AME Church, Huntington:
We currently have missionaries in the areas hardest hit by Ebola. And, we have a bishop whose jurisdiction the area is under. So, yes, these are things the church has to deal with. In addition to having churches in the area, we also are building schools and more churches in places with limited resources and access.
None of what is happening there should limit our missionary work. This is the time to do more, not less. If there are cures or other medication that will ease suffering, we should be advocates for getting those medicines to the people who need them. This is a time when we show those in need they have not been forgotten.
Father Felix Davordzi, visiting priest from Ghana, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, West Hempstead:
Of course, missionaries have to be protected, but this is the time they are needed to spread the good word of the Gospel. It is vital that they go in and help and comfort those who are suffering. Governments are doing the best they can, but there is so much more to be done in the face of Ebola.
Right now, the government in Ghana is screening people entering the country. I was screened before I traveled here to the United States. In Ghana, I am assigned to a church. Our bishop has issued a directive that we refrain from giving peace -- which involves saying "peace be with you" and shaking the other person's hand -- until after the threat from Ebola subsides. Those are precautions we have taken. There are other precautions that can be taken, depending on how near you are to the outbreak. If you have to wear special clothing, then wear special clothing. But, we are called to minister to the sick. So we cannot turn our backs on those who need us.
Pastor Charles "Pastor Chuck" Ferrara, Bellmore United Methodist Church:
I think missionary work must continue, but with an emphasis on caution. Ever since the first disciples, mission work has been a priority for Christians. It was a mandate from Jesus.
Both medical professionals afflicted with Ebola were Christian missionaries.
To be a missionary is a calling, which is why I don't think missionary work will end or be suspended in the area affected. People should always wear the appropriate protective gear and take any suggested precautions. But, like anyone would have a
passion for something they love, mission work is a passion, a calling that is bigger than a mere job. From a Christian standpoint, it is a God-ordained calling.
I think of the lepers in the time of Jesus Christ. Not only did everyone run from them, lepers had to call out when they walked down the street so others could avoid even seeing them. They were a marginalized, hidden community. It was a terrible life. But Jesus had no qualms about approaching them, touching them, ministering to them. He is our ideal for missionary work. I am sure that we will continue to send missionaries where they are needed, regardless of the risk. Ebola victims are the modern-day lepers. If the missionaries
don't go, who will go?
Help see that BCG is available in the US to all who seek same and we will gladly help support the fight against Ebola that has not yet but soon will reach the US.
On Thursday, August 14, 2014 4:36 PM, leonard
<pointreyes@verizon.net> wrote:
Immunobiology
Laboratory Denise
Faustman, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
East Director,
Immunobiology Laboratory
Building 149, Thirteenth Street, Room
3601
Associate Professor of Medicine
Charlestown, Massachusetts
02129 Harvard
Medical School
Tel: 617-726-4084
Fax: 617-726-4095
August
12, 2014
Dear
Friends,
We are
recruiting patients who:
- are over 18 years old; and
- have had type 1 diabetes for less than 20 years.
If you
are interested and fit this criteria please call
617-726-4084 or email
diabetestrial@partners.org
(Subject
line: Faustman Lab Research Interest). For new patients and
those that have not donated blood
samples
to the Faustman lab in over a year, we will schedule you for
a 30 minute screening visit to
donate
a blood sample at our facility in Boston. Data collected
may be used for eligibility screening for
proposed
Phase II studies testing the BCG vaccine as a treatment for
type 1 diabetes.
Patients
from all over the world are welcome to participate in our
research, though future studies may
require
frequent visits to our lab in Boston.
You may also visit our website at
www.faustmanlab.org to
learn
more about our research.
Thank
you again for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Denise
L. Faustman, MD, PhD
The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person
to whom it is
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.
Immunobiology
Laboratory Denise
Faustman, MD, PhD
Massachusetts
General Hospital
East
Director, Immunobiology Laboratory
Building 149, Thirteenth Street, Room 3601
Associate Professor of Medicine
Charlestown,
Massachusetts
02129
Harvard Medical School
Tel: 617-726-4084
Fax: 617-726-4095
August 12, 2014
Dear Friends,
We are recruiting patients who:
- are over 18 years old; and
- have had type 1 diabetes for less than 20 years.
If you are interested and fit this criteria please call 617-726-4084 or email
diabetestrial@partners.org
(Subject line: Faustman Lab Research Interest). For new patients and those that have not donated blood
samples to the Faustman lab in over a year, we will schedule you for a 30 minute screening visit to
donate a blood sample at our facility in Boston. Data collected may be used for eligibility screening for
proposed Phase II studies testing the BCG vaccine as a treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Patients from all over the world are welcome to participate in our research, though future studies may
require frequent visits to our lab in Boston.
You may also visit our website at
www.faustmanlab.org to
learn more about our research.
Thank you again for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Denise L. Faustman, MD, PhD
The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.
addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail
contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at
http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error
but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly
dispose of the e-mail.
