Promising experimental MS drug trial testing in Seattle

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06:11 PM PDT on Friday, August 3, 2007

By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News

Promising new drug to battle MS

An Oregon researcher may be on the verge of a huge breakthrough in treating multiple sclerosis. He has developed a new drug that appears to reverse one of the most debilitating symptoms of the disease, at least in animal studies. Human trials are just beginning, and part of the research will take place here.

Rich Elliott knows the ravages of multiple sclerosis.

"My dexterity has greatly decreased. My gait is awkward, uncoordinated, clumsy," said Elliott. "I've progressed kind of rapidly."

That's why Elliott is hopeful about an experimental MS drug.

OHSU professor of neurology Arthur Vandenbark developed the drug RTL1000. In earlier stages of research, his team took mice paralyzed by MS and gave them RTL1000. The results were nothing short of amazing.

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"We were able to see a very rapid reversal of the paralysis," said Vandenbark. "The mice went from quite paralyzed to almost no symptoms."

In very simple terms, RTL1000 plugs up trouble-making cells before they attack healthy nerve cells. It also seems to promote healing.

"What this tells us is that the brain has a remarkable regenerative ability, if you can stop the damage and the process that causes the damage," said Vandenbark.

But with this enthusiasm comes measured caution.

"We're not there yet. This is a very long process," said Vandenbark.

Elliott doesn't know if he got the drug or a placebo. If it was the real drug, at this stage the dose is likely too low to do anything.

The drug will be being studied at six clinical trial sites in the U.S., including one in the Puget Sound area at the MS center at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. Local researchers, however, are not yet ready to begin recruiting.

http://www.king5.com/health/stories/NW_080307HEK_MS_drug_RTL1000_LJ.dcb406