watch very carefully going forward.”
But overall, only 8 percent of ibudilast patients withdrew from the study because of a side effect. That suggests the drug was well-tolerated, Fox said.
There are two forms of progressive MS: secondary, which develops after an initial diagnosis of relapsing MS; and primary, which means it progressively worsens from the start, with no periods of remission. About half of Americans with MS have a progressive form of the disease, according to Bebo.
Yet, Fox said, they’ve been “underserved” when it comes to research into new treatments.
“Progressive MS has been the forgotten child,” Fox said. “I think this study can provide them with another chapter of hope.” To learn more information on multiple sclerosis. Visit our Health Conditions tab on BlackDoctor.org.
SOURCES: Robert Fox, M.D., vice chairman, research, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio; Bruce Bebo, Ph.D., executive vice president, research, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New York; Aug. 30, 2018, New England Journal of Medicine