World MS Day 2013: Looking at the future of MS research
28.05.13
An estimated two million people around the world live with MS, a progressive disease of the central nervous system which includes symptoms such as weak limbs, tingling sensations, blurry vision and fatigue. MS is caused by a loss of myelin, a fatty material that insulates nerves, and a disruption in the ability of nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain. The areas lacking myelin form plaques or lesions, and these scars are how MS got its name – “multiple sclerosis” literally means “many scars”.
Currently there is no cure for MS, however there are treatments available that can modify the course of the disease and help manage symptoms. Biopharmaceutical medicines, based on biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, are one area where success has been seen. Such progress is being furthered by research initiatives like COMPACT – a project funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative, a public-private partnership between the European Commission and EFPIA.
The complex nature and large size of most biopharmaceutical means that they face hurdles in pharmacokinesis – the way that they navigate through the human body to reach their intended target. To address this, one aim of COMPACT is to identify transport routes across cell membranes and other biological barriers that could be used for drug delivery. Researchers also plan to examine non-invasive delivery methods, as most biopharmaceutical molecules currently must be delivered via injection – not the most patient-friendly method. In the last 18 months we have seen several small molecule MS medicines come to market. They can be taken orally, as tablets. It remains to see how European health care providers will introduce these, as experience, unfortunately, shows great differences in patient access to new medicines.
Until we can reap the benefits from such research projects and determine improved treatments – or even a cure – for MS, it is important to raise awareness. Diseases like MS won’t disappear and we can’t get complacent or discouraged in our search for a cure and improved treatments – that could well be the motto for the pharmaceutical industry when it comes to drug development for any area of unmet medical need. World MS Day is the time to highlight the progress we are making and push for the support that will allow such progress to continue.
