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Italian researchers have reported encouraging results following tests of an oral therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
The team presented the results of their research to the American Academy of Neurology in Chicago this week.
The results of their study of 173 people have shown that continuous use of the drug, known as FTY720 or Fingolimod, led to two-thirds of participants remaining free of relapses over three years.
The results also showed that the inflammatory activity associated with MS, as assessed by MRI scans, remained low with 89% of people with MS free of active brain lesions three years after starting the treatment.
Dr Laura Bell, research communications officer for the MS Society, said: “The results of this trial are encouraging because people with MS would benefit greatly from an effective oral therapy.
“It would take away the need for unpleasant injections and no therapies currently offer this. The MS Society is looking forward to more convenient treatments for people with MS.”
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