Search for:
Search for:
Healthcare Professionals
Publications
Contact
News
Español
Magazine
Radio
*
Get Educated
What is MS?
A chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, comprised of the brain...
More Details
Educational Materials
Common Questions
Lending Library
Symptoms
Treatment Options
Additional Resources
Research
MS Awareness Month
Donate
Get Help
Health & Wellness Program
Get educational materials and referrals, as well as the opportunity to participate in various...
Learn More
Grants & Programs
Awareness Campaigns
Support Groups
Events
Lending Library
Additional Resources
Get Involved
MS Awareness Month
An annual, nationwide campaign with goals to promote an understanding of MS, and to assist those...
Learn More
Advocacy
Buy from Partners
Volunteer
Businesses
MS Research Trials
Supporter Program
Awareness Campaigns
Host an Event
Events
MS Focus on Fashion
The inaugural MS Focus on Fashion, will take place on Nov. 6, in Dania Beach, Fla.
Learn More
Events Calendar
Health & Wellness
Fundraisers
Support
Web & Teleconferences
MS Education
Host an Event
About Us
Programs & Grants
More Details
Overview
Press Room
Leadership
Financial Statements
Our Mission
Careers at MS Focus
Affiliations
News
Emergency Assistance G...
Help with rent or utilities may be provided through the Emergency Assistance Program.
/Get-Help/MSF-Programs-Grants/Emergency-Assistance-Program
Shop
Privacy
Terms of Use
Site Map
Combination therapy holds promise as MS treatment
October 04, 2024
A new study suggests a combination of specially treated immune cells and an already approved disease-modifying treatment may offer better results in treating multiple sclerosis than using either on its own. Researchers said the findings represent a significant step forward in the use of personalized cell therapies, potentially revolutionizing how MS is treated.
MS is a chronic disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective layer around nerve cells known as the myelin sheath. This leads to nerve damage and worsening disability. Current treatments, such as immunosuppressants, help reduce these harmful attacks but also weaken the overall immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to infections and cancer. Scientists are now exploring a more targeted therapy using special immune cells, called tolerogenic dendritic cells, from the same patients.
Tolerogenic dendritic cells can restore immune balance without affecting the body’s natural defenses. However, because a hallmark of MS is precisely the dysfunction of the immune system, the effectiveness of these cells for auto transplantation might be compromised. Therefore, it is essential to better understand how the disease affects the starting material for this cellular therapy before it can be applied.
In this study, researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, in Barcelona, Spain, examined CD14+ monocytes, mature dendritic cells, and vitamin D3-treated tolerogenic dendritic cells from MS patients who had not yet received treatment, as well as from healthy individuals. The clinical trials were designed to assess the effectiveness of vitamin D3-treated tolerogenic dendritic cells, which were loaded with myelin antigens to help "teach" the immune system to stop attacking the nervous system. This uses a patient’s own immune cells which are modified to induce immune tolerance to try and treat the autoimmune nature of MS.
The study found the immune cells from MS patients (monocytes, precursors of tolerogenic dendritic cells) have a persistent “proinflammatory” signature, even after being transformed into Vitamin D3-treated tolerogenic dendritic cells, the actual therapeutic cell type. This signature makes these cells less effective compared to those derived from healthy individuals, missing part of its potential benefits.
The researchers identified a pathway, known as the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which is linked to this altered immune response. By using an AhR-modulating drug, the team was able to restore the normal function of Vitamin D3-treated tolerogenic dendritic cells from MS patients, in vitro. Interestingly, dimethyl fumarate, an already approved MS drug, was found to mimic the effect of AhR modulation and restore the cells to full efficacy, with a safer toxic profile.
Finally, studies in MS animal models showed that a combination of vitamin D3-treated tolerogenic dendritic cells and dimethyl fumarate led to better results than using either treatment on its own. This combination therapy significantly reduced symptoms in mice, suggesting enhanced potential for treating human patients.
These results could lead to a new, more potent treatment option for MS, offering hope to the millions of patients worldwide who suffer from this debilitating disease. Results of mouse model studies sometimes do not translate to humans and may be years away from being a marketable treatment. However, researchers said this study represents a significant step forward in the use of personalized cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, potentially revolutionizing how MS is treated.
The study was published in the
Journal of Clinical Investigation
.
MS Focus Lending Library
Books, DVDs, and CDs are available for loan, by mail across the United States.
Learn more