Cure in news again for MS

[Sunshine]

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Note the high mortality rate mentioned at the end, one in 26 subjects died.

[agate]

I didn't find the part where it is stated that 1 in 26 subjects died but you do have to wonder what drug treatment the other group was on since treatment failed for 60% of them.

[Sunshine]

“...This study is the largest of its kind, and it bolsters results from smaller trials that have also showed stem cell transplant to be effective. The treatment has been controversial in the neurological community because it has proved more dangerous than drug treatments in the past. In an earlier trial, eight of 281 participants died.”

[agate]

I don't want to split hairs here but I believe that would amount to 1 in 35. In any case, I agree that that death rate still looks bad.

But isn't the article making the point that the treatment has been considered to be dangerous because that many died in an earlier trial--and the now there's new hope for a safer treatment?

I wouldn't want to jump on the bandwagon on the basis of this one more promising study but some people have been willing to go ahead with the stem cell treatments--I believe at least one person here has.

[Sunshine]

I think many will want to try it for sure.

[Howie]

Well, at least it's not the mouse model for MS they found a cure for.

[stillstANNding]

From the BBC, a journalist w MS reports on her HSCT journey (long read):

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ANN

[agate]

Very interesting and well-written article--thank you for finding it and posting the link!

It was only a bit over a year ago that she had the stem cell treatment. It will be interesting to see how she does over a longer time. She's saying that now there are times now when she feels worse than she did before the stem cell treatment.

It's not exactly a ringing endorsement but she's had some hopeful signs too.

[Sunshine]

Sobering account

[Cherie]

I know a guy.... Really I do! He had the procedure 6 years ago and after 4 and a half years reverted to old levels of functioning after a real improvement. Docs at the Consortium of MS Centers meetings the past two years are saying it is looking like this procedure is effective for 4-5 years maximum then wears off.

[agate]

I'm afraid I wouldn't want the procedure done if I knew that I would probably get only about 4 years of improvement. Maybe others would settle for that though?

[Lazarus]

I'm afraid I wouldn't want the procedure done if I knew that I would probably get only about 4 years of improvement. Maybe others would settle for that though?

I might as I have taken risks on meds and, right now 7-8 years sounds very good but 4-5 changes the odds. And, 4-5 years might not be accurate for older patients like me...

[Howie]

If you were older, and looked at 4 or 5 years, you might consider it. Live your last years feeling normal.

I am satisfied with the disability I have, and I've gotten used to how I feel. It's not progressing, so I wouldn't try it. I expect to die feeling just like this.