Researchers compared alemtuzumab (a drug to treat leukaemias or blood cell cancers) in treating MS with interferon beta-1a (a drug that is already used to treat the condition) and found that it halted and reversed the effects of the disease. However, there were some serious side effects in a few patients.
334 patients with early symptoms of MS were recruited from 49 centres across Europe and the US between December 2002 and July 2004 and randomised to receive interferon beta-1a or alemtuzumab at a dose of either 12mg or 24mg. Researchers found that those who took alemtuzumab had a reduction in disability (71%) and reduction in the risk of relapse (74%) compared with beta-interferon.
Critics said that it is not known if the drug would be beneficial for more advanced MS and the result of restoration of brain tissue will need confirmation in larger phase 3 trials.
Source: The CAMMS223 Trial Investigators. Alemtuzumab vs. Interferon Beta-1a in Early Multiple Sclerosis. NEJM 2008; 359: 1786-1801
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