(RxWiki News) A multiple sclerosis (MS) medication appeared to reduce some physical disability caused by the disease, according to a new study.
In this small study, alemtuzumab (brand name Lemtrada) was given to some patients early on in the course of their relapsing-remitting MS.Other patients received interferon beta-1a, another MS drug.
MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system destroys the protective covering of patients' nerves. This damage causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. MS can cause significant disability.
The Queen Mary University researchers behind this study tested patients' disability levels periodically for two years.
Alemtuzumab appeared to provide greater benefits when compared to interferon beta-1a across several disability outcomes, these researchers found.
These researchers noted that the risks of alemtuzumab — such as serious autoimmune problems and infusion reactions — should be considered. They called for further research to help confirm their findings.
This study was published in the journal Neurology.
Sanofi Genzyme and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, which both have a hand in funding and marketing alemtuzumab, funded this research.