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Asked by Samar Ramzy, Kuwait
I am an MS [multiple sclerosis] patient and I have just about had it with my Rebif injections. I've heard about a new leukemia drug used to treat the beginning stages of MS. I think it's called Campath 1H. Are there any other medications you would recommend for early stage MS? Thank you.
Conditions Expert
Dr. Otis Brawley
Chief Medical Officer,
American Cancer Society
Dear Samar:
Multiple Sclerosis is an immune disorder. In this disease, the insulation of the nerves (or myelin) is attacked and destroyed by the immune system. The loss of this insulation interferes with electrical signals sent down nerves. This is how nerves stimulate muscles or communicate sensations to the brain. Many people with mild MS have one attack and it calms down. Others have continuing attacks that get more and more severe.
The most common symptoms of MS are loss of sensation in the face, an arm, or leg; loss of vision; a disturbance of arm or leg motion; double vision; or balance problems.
Mild MS is treated with steroids and drugs to stimulate natural steroid secretion. Other medications that suppress or otherwise alter the function of the immune system also are used. These include some drugs commonly used as cancer chemotherapies such as cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and mitoxantrone. The interferons are also used in the more progressive form of MS. Rebif is the brand name of one of the interferons. In all there are more than a dozen drugs used by MS experts. Intravenous immune globulin and plasma exchange have also been used. Some treatments are more appropriate for certain forms of MS.
Campath 1H is the brand name of a monoclonal antibody known as alemtuzumab. This drug is used in treatment of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and is being investigated in other leukemias, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma and several other diseases including multiple sclerosis. It destroys T cells, which are thought responsible for the destructive process in MS. Initial studies have been encouraging; further studies continue, but the manufacturer is not marketing it as an MS treatment at this time. It has significant cardiovascular, central nervous system and hematologic side effects.
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