Multiple sclerosis is called an incurable disease with a chronic course. With this disease, damage to the brain tissue and nerve fibers, both the brain and the spinal cord, is observed. As a result, the brain loses the function of transmitting nerve impulses between its lobes. In this article, we consider what is new in the treatment of multiple sclerosis scientists have come up with. But first of all, you need to understand what kind of disease, the causes of its occurrence.
Causes of pathology
Scientists have not identified the exact causes of the development of an autoimmune disease. According to the theory, there are:
- infectious diseases;
- dysfunction of the circulatory system, when lymphocyte destruction of healthy cells of the body is observed together with ineffective;
- viral diseases;
- heredity.
New treatments for multiple sclerosis are of interest to many.
Symptoms of the disease in question are identical to those of neurological diseases. Based on this, the process of establishing the correct diagnosis in the early stages becomes difficult. Pathology is characterized by:
- Short-term visual impairment.
- Dizziness, tiredness.
- The unnaturalness of the movements.
- Weakness in the limbs.
- Hypersensitivity to pain.
- Numbness of the limbs.
- Speech impairment.
- Partial paralysis.
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
You cannot diagnose multiple sclerosis based on your medical history and routine examinations. Determining the presence of the disease is only possible with MRI.
Thanks to tomography, the presence of pathologies in the brain is determined, as well as the level of changes in nerve tissues.
Before learning new things in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, it is necessary to understand what therapy is. To treat multiple sclerosis, you need to start only after prescribing the medicine by a neurologist. Depending on the degree of affected brain tissue and the progress of the disease, it is necessary to start specific therapy immediately. Now there are not many drugs that are intended to treat this disease, patients are often prescribed foreign-made drugs, such as Copaxone.
New in the treatment of multiple sclerosis
Medicines for the treatment of this disease began to be imported into Russia only in 2006, but the cost of these funds was so high that it made treatment inaccessible. After the inclusion of the disease in the federal program “Seven Nosologies” in 2008, there was a guarantee of providing patients with medicines at the expense of the state.
Now more and more new drugs appear in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
The appearance of Russian-made analogues was a great success and victory.
Upon the expiration of the patent protection period for the original drugs, it is allowed to reproduce them already on the territory of our country. Generic companies are ready for this. All work on the development of a copy is usually carried out in advance, since the formula of any original medicine is known. Registration of an analogue can also be done in advance, since this process is quite long.
As a rule, generics are registered according to a simplified scheme, which is a global practice. Manufacturers of the analogue do not need to conduct long-term clinical trials, it is only necessary to prove how exactly the composition of the active substance of the original and analogue is consistent. Based on this, we get a more affordable price.
According to statistics, Russian medicines cause suspicion and distrust among both doctors and patients. This is explained by the fact that for them, treatment with proven drugs is more reliable. So, consider new drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Glatiramer acetate
Glatiramer acetate is one such drug. It has a rather complex composition - a mixture of synthetic polypeptides. The original manufacturers claimed that repeating the drug they developed without harming the effectiveness of the treatment is unrealistic. Deviations from the composition of the starting materials during the synthesis can lead to a violation of the molecular structure. From here, the pharmacological effect of this drug on the body could change.
This problem has been resolved. Young talented biochemists began research at the Department of Chemistry of Moscow State University, and then at one of the stages of work continued to develop, using the support of F-Synthesis.
This area is completely new in the treatment of multiple sclerosis in Russia.
Xemus
Our scientists developed the first domestic drug for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis. A medicine called Xemus has yet to undergo final clinical trials and then enters the pharmaceutical market. They promise that this medication will be given to patients with multiple sclerosis for free. According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, there are more and more patients with multiple sclerosis.
Developed in Russia, a new drug in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, is an analogue of one of the most expensive lots of the state program "7 nosologies." Registration of this medicine may mean that import substitution has become real, the inhabitants of our country will cease to be dependent on foreign supplies of original drugs. More than 5 billion rubles are spent annually on their purchase. According to the developers of the Russian drug, they promise to sell it cheaper.
A pilot batch of the developed drug was released back in 2012 in order to conduct clinical trials. Samples were successful. The site of the company where these tests are carried out is one of the most modern in the country. The company's management spares no money either on staff training or equipment. This can be confirmed by three certificates that comply with international GMP standards.
The latest developments in the treatment of multiple sclerosis have waited a very long time. They had to register the drug last year, but the procedure was delayed for more than one month. The F-Synthesis development company showed its willingness to participate in public procurement, but the auction was postponed by decision of the FAS in order not to violate antitrust laws.
Experts predict the fact of a price drop due to the fact that a competitor did not come to the auction. The company's management said that the introduction of the Russian counterpart to the market will help reduce the cost of purchases by at least 20%.
A new approach to treating multiple sclerosis
Many new treatments are in the clinical trial phase.
- "Mitoxantrone" - is a cytotoxic drug that suppresses the immune system, the number of relapses is reduced.
- "Cladribine" - normal lymphocyte function will be restored, structural changes in the brain are reduced. But during the pilot tests, side effects were discovered: exacerbation of brain diseases, malignant tumors. The drug was deregistered. Repeated application will be after completion.
- "Lakvinimod" - the lymphocytic function of the immune system is restored, the number of exacerbations decreases, there are no destructive neurological processes.
Therapy news
The main news is the appearance of a new drug on the Russian market. Russian biologists have begun the development of a vaccine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
The drug is based on liposomes, artificially created fat molecules. They consist of myelin, which restores nerve connections. The further development of the disease is inhibited, the normal function of the immune system is restored. Clinical experiments are carried out on volunteers. As a result, the drug will be allowed for mass therapy.
A new stem cell-based multiple sclerosis remedy will also be released soon. T lymphocytes that destroy the myelin sheath of nerve cells are blocked .
Israeli developments
And there is another newest method, we are talking about fullerene therapy. The development belongs to Israeli pharmacists. Thanks to it, substances and amino acids are activated, restoration and activity of nerve cells is carried out.
USA Developments
In the USA, injections are being developed that stimulate the restoration of immunity, as a result of which the symptoms of the disease are suppressed. The drug has no side effects.
A team of scientists discovered antibodies to envelope protein (ENV) in the human DNA of the reactivated HERV-W virus, which contribute to the formation of the myelin sheath of nerve cells and their regeneration.