Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease. This woman was diagnosed 10 years ago. “It came on suddenly and I was deteriorating quickly,” says Sue Carlson. Her eyesight was failing. She was falling down and was forced to stop treating half her massage clients. But she found hope in a clinical trial for a new vaccine called Neurovax.

“I had been on Neurovax for about three months and I realized things were starting to come back.” In fact, she says her symptoms have gone away.

“We’ve had a few examples where we’ve had very, very good responses and many other examples where we’ve been able to stabilize the disease so it doesn’t progress any further,” says Dr. Arthur Vandenbark.

Scientists discovered that MS patients lose the Fox P3 gene. Simply put, Neurovax restores Fox P3 levels by expanding healthy cells, which in turn block the bad cells that have become “active.”

“When we activate the regulatory cells, we’re helping them to produce these anti-inflammatory factors,” says Dr. Vandenbark.

And treatment involves a simple shot of Neurovax in the arm.

“Probably give them maybe three at the beginning once a month and then follow every three to six months with a booster injection.”

Early results suggest Neurovax might be able to treat MS in both early and late stages.

Wednesday, November 9, 2005