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Showing posts with label autoimmune diseases. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autoimmune diseases. Show all posts
Monday, April 3, 2017
Monday, March 14, 2016
Multiple Sclerosis:Managing Complexity
Multiple Sclerosis is a rather enigmatic,chronic disease that damages the nerves in the spinal cord,as well as the brain and optic nerve.Sclerosis means scarring and MS patients develop multiple areas of scar tissue in response to this nerve damage,causing a broad range of potential problems with muscle control,balance,vision and speech,including:
weakness in an arm or leg;
numbness or tingling;
loss of balance;
muscle spasms;
frequent tripping or difficulty walking;
blurred vision,colour blindness,eye pain and usually temporary blindness in one eye;
slurred speech;
trouble swallowing;
decline in mental acuity,meaning difficulty in problem-solving,memory loss and poor concentration;
fatigue;
some loss of bladder control.
Each case is highly individualised as to the exact symptomology and severity,with an episodic rise and subsidence of symptoms being common.*
In MS,the patient's immune system attacks the fatty sheathing of the nerve fibres called myelin.Myelin insulates the nerves and helps them send electrical signals that control movement,speech and other functions.When myelin is destroyed,scar tissue forms and nerve messages are not transmitted properly.The cause of this autoimmune disorder is unknown;but it is more common in northern regions such as Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe.These areas get less sunlight,possibly implicating vitamin D deficiency as a factor.Genetics also appear to play a role.MS is twice as common in women as in men,and Caucasians between the ages of 20 and 50 are most at risk of developing it.*
Diagnosis of MS is a sophisticated process that involves considering test results,medical history and a neurological exam.More than 90% of MS patients show scar tissue on an MRI scan.A spinal tap can check for abnormalities in the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.There are also tests to evaluate the electrical activity of the nerves and lab tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases such as HIV or Lyme disease.*
There is no cure for MS,but a full spectrum approach to treatment can improve the prognosis.Disease-modifying drugs such as Avonex,Betaseron,Copaxone and Rebif can lessen the frequency and severity of attacks and partially shield the brain and spinal cord,slowing the progression to disability.Novantrone and Tysabri are also available for more advanced cases.High dosages of corticosteroids can help shorten the attacks.Other medications can manage symptoms such as muscle spasms,incontinence and pain.Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles,combat stiffness and help patients move around better.Speech therapy can aid with speaking and swallowing.Most patients remain ambulatory with the assistance of orthotic shoe inserts;leg braces;canes;and walkers.Wheel chairs are needed by those who are very unsteady or fatigued.
Though multiple sclerosis is sometimes fatal directly or indirectly through aggravation of exisiting conditions,the outlook for optimally treated MS patients is improving through intensive research,with many remaining active in the community for an extended period through a combination of effective medication,peer support,medical devices and physical therapy.
weakness in an arm or leg;
numbness or tingling;
loss of balance;
muscle spasms;
frequent tripping or difficulty walking;
blurred vision,colour blindness,eye pain and usually temporary blindness in one eye;
slurred speech;
trouble swallowing;
decline in mental acuity,meaning difficulty in problem-solving,memory loss and poor concentration;
fatigue;
some loss of bladder control.
Each case is highly individualised as to the exact symptomology and severity,with an episodic rise and subsidence of symptoms being common.*
In MS,the patient's immune system attacks the fatty sheathing of the nerve fibres called myelin.Myelin insulates the nerves and helps them send electrical signals that control movement,speech and other functions.When myelin is destroyed,scar tissue forms and nerve messages are not transmitted properly.The cause of this autoimmune disorder is unknown;but it is more common in northern regions such as Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe.These areas get less sunlight,possibly implicating vitamin D deficiency as a factor.Genetics also appear to play a role.MS is twice as common in women as in men,and Caucasians between the ages of 20 and 50 are most at risk of developing it.*
Diagnosis of MS is a sophisticated process that involves considering test results,medical history and a neurological exam.More than 90% of MS patients show scar tissue on an MRI scan.A spinal tap can check for abnormalities in the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.There are also tests to evaluate the electrical activity of the nerves and lab tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases such as HIV or Lyme disease.*
There is no cure for MS,but a full spectrum approach to treatment can improve the prognosis.Disease-modifying drugs such as Avonex,Betaseron,Copaxone and Rebif can lessen the frequency and severity of attacks and partially shield the brain and spinal cord,slowing the progression to disability.Novantrone and Tysabri are also available for more advanced cases.High dosages of corticosteroids can help shorten the attacks.Other medications can manage symptoms such as muscle spasms,incontinence and pain.Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles,combat stiffness and help patients move around better.Speech therapy can aid with speaking and swallowing.Most patients remain ambulatory with the assistance of orthotic shoe inserts;leg braces;canes;and walkers.Wheel chairs are needed by those who are very unsteady or fatigued.
Though multiple sclerosis is sometimes fatal directly or indirectly through aggravation of exisiting conditions,the outlook for optimally treated MS patients is improving through intensive research,with many remaining active in the community for an extended period through a combination of effective medication,peer support,medical devices and physical therapy.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Key Committee Recommends Lupus Drug Approval
On November 16,a key Food and Drug Administration committee recommended approval of Benlysta,the Human Genome Sciences/GlaxoSmithKline drug for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.
The Arthritis Advisory Committee,which made the recommendation,provides the FDA with independent expert advice on rheumatology drug products such as Benlysta.Its nonbinding recommendation normally carries a great deal of weight in the FDA's deliberations.
Benlysta is the first new treatment expressly for lupus in 50 years.The vote to recommend approval was hailed by patient advocates as a sign of hope.Benlysta is also the first in a new class of drugs,the BLys-specific inhibitors.
Since 2006,Human Genome and Glaxo have been developing Benlysta together,with Human Genome having lead responsibility for conducting Phase 3 trials.The companies will share equally in development costs,sales,marketing expenses and any profits pending final FDA approval.Analysts consider Benlysta a prospective blockbuster,worth billions of dollars.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disorder most common in black,Hispanic and Asian women.It causes the immune system to attack the body's own organs and tissues,resulting in effects ranging from joint pain to kidney damage.The disease is potentially life-threatening.Like another autoimmune disorder,multiple sclerosis,lupus is hard to diagnose and varies from patient to patient.
Human Genome is located in Rockville,Maryland,and Glaxo is based in London,England.
Human Genome Sciences(HGSI),GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)
The Arthritis Advisory Committee,which made the recommendation,provides the FDA with independent expert advice on rheumatology drug products such as Benlysta.Its nonbinding recommendation normally carries a great deal of weight in the FDA's deliberations.
Benlysta is the first new treatment expressly for lupus in 50 years.The vote to recommend approval was hailed by patient advocates as a sign of hope.Benlysta is also the first in a new class of drugs,the BLys-specific inhibitors.
Since 2006,Human Genome and Glaxo have been developing Benlysta together,with Human Genome having lead responsibility for conducting Phase 3 trials.The companies will share equally in development costs,sales,marketing expenses and any profits pending final FDA approval.Analysts consider Benlysta a prospective blockbuster,worth billions of dollars.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disorder most common in black,Hispanic and Asian women.It causes the immune system to attack the body's own organs and tissues,resulting in effects ranging from joint pain to kidney damage.The disease is potentially life-threatening.Like another autoimmune disorder,multiple sclerosis,lupus is hard to diagnose and varies from patient to patient.
Human Genome is located in Rockville,Maryland,and Glaxo is based in London,England.
Human Genome Sciences(HGSI),GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Lupus Drug Made Priority
The FDA has granted a priority review designation to the lupus drug Benlysta,a joint project of Human Genome Sciences and its partner GlaxoSmithKline.Benlysta is the first medicine for systemic lupus erythematosus,the most common form of the disease,to complete Phase 3 trials with positive results,said Dr.Carlo Russo,Senior Vice President,Biopharm Development with GSK.The priority review designation is given to therapies that offer major advances in treatment or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists.European marketing authorization is also being sought for Benlysta.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is most common among women of Asian,African or Hispanic heritage.It is a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by the body's immune system attacking its own organs and tissues.Like multiple sclerosis,lupus has a wide variety of symptoms and is difficult to diagnose.Most cases are mild with episodic flare-ups.Symptoms range from fatigue and fever to joint pain and skin lesions.Lupus can be fatal,damaging the kidneys,causing atherosclerosis,or hardening of the arteries,and possibly even the cancer non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.The American College of Rheumatology has compiled a checklist of 11 clinical and laboratory criteria to assist with diagnosis.
HGSI and GSK entered into a co-development and commercialization agreement for Benlysta in 2006.They will share equally in development costs,sales,marketing expenses and profits,pending approval.
Human Genome Sciences is based in Rockville,Maryland and GlaxoSmithKline is a British firm.
Human Genome Sciences(HGSI),GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is most common among women of Asian,African or Hispanic heritage.It is a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by the body's immune system attacking its own organs and tissues.Like multiple sclerosis,lupus has a wide variety of symptoms and is difficult to diagnose.Most cases are mild with episodic flare-ups.Symptoms range from fatigue and fever to joint pain and skin lesions.Lupus can be fatal,damaging the kidneys,causing atherosclerosis,or hardening of the arteries,and possibly even the cancer non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.The American College of Rheumatology has compiled a checklist of 11 clinical and laboratory criteria to assist with diagnosis.
HGSI and GSK entered into a co-development and commercialization agreement for Benlysta in 2006.They will share equally in development costs,sales,marketing expenses and profits,pending approval.
Human Genome Sciences is based in Rockville,Maryland and GlaxoSmithKline is a British firm.
Human Genome Sciences(HGSI),GlaxoSmithKline(GSK)
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