A number of recent studies have suggested that alterations in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis) may contribute to the onset and/or worsening of multiple sclerosis. Two new papers, scheduled for publication this week, report that certain bacterial strains promote neurodegeneration in the EAE mouse model (Cekanaviciute and colleagues. PNAS 2017; in press). Read More

Back in 2009, the launch of the first oral therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis was much anticipated. Cladribine, initially studied in MS as a parenteral drug in 1994 (Sipe et al. Lancet 1994;244:9-13), had been reformulated as an oral therapy and had completed phase III testing. The new drug, Movectro, earned a fast-track review by the FDA in 2006, and received early approval for use in Russia and Australia. Read More

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) has now been approved for use in Canada for the treatment of adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis  with active disease defined by clinical and imaging features. An application was also submitted for use in primary-progressive MS, but has not yet received approval. The drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this year (see FDA approves ocrelizumab in RRMS, PPMS, NeuroSens, March 30, 2017). Read More