Hope for Multiple Sclerosis: Initial trial of DNA vaccine successful.

NI Wire

New Delhi

Thu, 23 Aug 2007: 

Aug 23 : The success of first human trial of a DNA based vaccine on the patient suffering from devastating disease of Multiple sclerosis has brought hope fomillions.

Team of doctors headed by Amit Bar-Or at the Montreal Neurological Institute in Canada developed a DNA based vaccine that produces myelin sheath.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of Central Nervous System, in which the circuit between brain and other body part is disrupted. It is said to be an autoimmune disease in which body through its own immune system attack its own tissue .In multiple Sclerosis body immune system act against Myelin Sheath, causing inflammation of myelin sheath and leading to its destruction, thus impaired the flow of signal. Myelin sheath is the protective fatty cells, covering nerves and facilitates nerve signals to all body part.

It occur in 20-40 age group, initial symptom of blurred or double vision even blindness in one eyes in some case have been reported. Muscle weakness, dizziness and in severe cases may lead to impaired walking and partial and complete paralysis in some. People with Multiple sclerosis has also reported of paresthesis, that is symptoms like transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, and pricking sensation. Cognitive impairment like Lack of concentration, attention, memory, poor judgment and depression are also reported in some patient.

In the trial the vaccine was injected to 30 patient with Multiple Sclerosis, over one, three, five, and nine weeks. Half of them also received statin drug to boost the effect of the vaccine. Also all of patients were reported to have relapses, in which symptoms come and go over long periods.

The Doctors tested the blood samples of the patient administered under the vaccine.

They found that levels of immune cells which attack myelin sheath had fallen .After the treatment the patient continued on the trial and no further relapses was reported.

Also the number of the lesions, which is produced when disease progresses, fall by 18% to 64% in patient who were given DNA vaccine alone and there was a marked reduction in the size of lesions. The statin drug failed to enhance the vaccine effectiveness.

Though the result is showing positive result, researchers have caution against trial’s finding .But also said that result are promising and offers hope.

The team has now begun a 12 month trial of 290 patients, the success of which will end the unpredictability of this enervating disease and same approach can be used to treat other autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis. type 1 diabetes, lupus etc.