New research for progressive MS: Advanced Cell Therapy

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Dr Stefano Pluchino. as our guest! Dr Pluchino is a Professor of Regenerative Neuroimmunology at Cambridge University and has been researching stem cell therapy for progressive MS
This is episode 6 of season 6 of Living Well with MS called Advanced cell therapy for progressive MS with Dr Stefano Pluchino
Topics and Timestamps:
01:31 Dr Pluchino is a Cambridge-educated neurologist with research interest in treatments for progressive forms of MS
02:52 MS is a spectrum from relapsing-remitting to progressive forms of the condition
05:09 What are the DMT options for people with progressive forms of MS?
08:40 Dr. Pluchino’s Advance Cell Therapy phase one trial was successful and well tolerated
11:17 Stem cells were injected into the brains of participants who responded favorably despite their advance disease stage
15:50 Plans for a phase two trial are in the works with higher doses of stem cells
21:05 Advance cell therapy is a different, safer, and newer therapy than HSCT or bone marrow transplants
26:02 This trial is the result of 25 years of research, having a DMT go to market is still years away
33:39 Ways to get involved in research and clinical trials near you
Selected Key Takeaways:
There are nuances in types of MS beyond “relapsing” or “progressive”
04:23 "We can distinguish and it is becoming more complex between active and non active types of primary or secondary progressive MS where activity is attributed to other episodes, clinical episodes of disease or radiologically evident episodes of disease, which can be identified by the use of contrast agents at the time of the MRI. So they are very complex very to the genius type of disease, with or without activity, which inevitably undergo accumulation of any logical deficits.”
The next generation of DMTs will target progression rather than relapses
06:39 “what's becoming very interesting is that since a few years, there is a general worldwide to say consensus that progressive MS is becoming and has become a clinical unmet need. And the old MS world is concentrating money finances, funding and efforts towards stopping MS and stopping MS to the development of a new generation of DMDs which will eventually target progression rather than relapses.”
The future of advance cell therapy research will look at remyelination, reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection
19:10 "There is space for assessing whether a proportion of the injected cells are able to differentiate in vivo into new myelin forming cells. There is a space to assess whether some of the cells are able to increase the survival of neurons in the brain. And there is space to assess whether the transplanted cells are able to reduce the type of inflammation which characterize progressive MS, which is what we call now a smoldering inflammation. These highly diffuse homogeneous, low level activation of microglia and astrocytes which might be reduced by means of advance cell therapy and the reason why I am specifically alluding to these three major biological mechanism of disease, remyelination, reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection.”
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
Video on Early-stage stem cell therapy trial shows promise for treating progressive MS • Early-stage stem cell ...
Dr Pluchino’s website www.pluchinola...
If you have progressive MS you may be eligible for the Octopus trial ukmsregister.o...
Learn about HSCT from Professor Richard Burt in Season 5 Episode 25 overcomingms.o...
Read about the Shinya Yamanaka and John Gurdon’a Nobel Winning iPSC technology www.nobelprize...
Find out more about the latest research in progressive MS from the International Progressive MS Alliance www.progressiv...
--
Overcoming MS is a positive lifestyle program that aims to help people live long, healthy lives without the usual problems associated with multiple sclerosis.
Find us on:
Web: www.overcomingms.org
Facebook: OvercomingMS
Instagram: OvercomingMS
Twitter: OvercomingMS