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In The Spotlight

Growing Number of Potential Oral Treatments for MS

They say “three makes a trend.” And that’s exactly what we have—and then
some.

After two consecutive months of reporting on a different experimental
oral medication for MS—first cladribine, then simvastin (Zocor®)—we now
learn there are two more oral treatments being studied. With this sudden
explosion of research into oral alternatives to the ABCRs, itÂ’s become
clear that drug makers and academics alike are honing in on the same
goal.

Out with injections, in with pills.

At the beginning of the month, investigators at the University of
Illinois at Chicago announced that they were launching an 18-month
clinical trial to study pioglitazone, an oral type 2 diabetes
medication, in patients with RRMS. (1) Previous research has revealed
that pioglitazone, which helps diabetes patients use insulin more
efficiently, also appears to lower the level of molecules involved in
immune responses and inflammation.

“It’s amazing that this drug, at least in animal tests, has shown a
dramatic effect on two different targets of multiple sclerosis, namely
the immune system and the inflammation response,” says Douglas
Feinstein, MD, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at
Chicago College of Medicine. The trial, which will enroll 30 patients,
is designed to evaluate safety and tolerability as well as the drugÂ’s
effect on MRI-detected brain lesions and symptoms. Pioglitazone, like
simvastin, shares the advantage of being a readily-available medication
already on the market.

On the developmental front, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the maker of
Copaxone®, and Active Biotech, announced on June 14, 2004, their
partnership to develop and market laquinimod, an oral immunomodulator
therapy for MS. (2) Based in Sweden, Active Biotech recently completed
an encouraging six-month Phase II clinical trial of the novel drug in
209 patients with RRMS.

In presenting the results at the American Academy of Neurology Annual
Meeting in April, the Swedish company reported that a 0.3 mg daily dose
of laquinimod was safe and well-tolerated. In addition, they found that
the therapy achieved a 30 percent reduction in disease activity as
detected by MRI. Patients with disease activity at the start of the
study manifested an even greater reduction of more than 40 percent.

In the partnership agreement, Teva, headquartered in Israel, receives
exclusive worldwide rights to the drug, while Active Biotech retains the
Nordic and Baltic countries. To move the clinical development program
forward, Teva will soon conduct Phase III trials, hoping to confirm the
efficacy results demonstrated in the Phase II studies in a larger number
of patients.

With at least four oral medications currently under investigation for
MS, the possibility of an effective treatment that does not require
injections has never been stronger. Talk about a turnaround from the
disappointment of the failed oral Copaxone® trials. Clearly, things
change quickly in the world of MS, so stay tuned as we continue our
coverage of this exciting trend.

1. University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. Press Release,
June 7, 2004.

2. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Press Release, June 14, 2004.






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Recipe of the Month

Heading to a summer cookout, or needing to feed the whole family? Try
our healthy recipe for Chicken Enchilada Casserole, submitted by support
group member HealingPyxe. Ole!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

3/4 c. plain nonfat yogurt
3/4 c. fat free cottage cheese
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 t. chili powder
1 c. chicken stock (or low sodium broth)
4 oz can green chilies (chopped)
4 corn tortillas
1 1/2 c. cooked chicken (cubed)
1 onion (chopped)
1/2 c. fat free Monterey Jack Cheese or Cheddar Cheese (shredded)

In blender or food processor, puree yogurt, cottage cheese, garlic,
chili powder and 1/2 c. chicken stock. Stir in drained green chilies.
Cover bottom of a 8 x 8 baking dish that's been sprayed with vegetable
oil spray with 1/3 of the mixture.

Dip tortillas (one at a time) in reserved hot chicken stock. Drain
briefly. Cut in 1 inch wide strips. Scatter half the tortilla strips
over
creamed mixture in baking dish. Combine chicken, chopped onion and half
or the cheese. Place all mixture on top of tortilla chips.

Cover with remaining tortilla strips, then cover with remaining creamed
mixture and top with cheese. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake in
400 degree oven for 30 min. Uncover, continue to bake till mixture is
golden brown on top and appears firm in the center when dish is gently
shaken. Approximately 20 minutes. Serves 6

Per serving: 169 cal, 2 g fat, 21 g prot, 16 g carbs, 33 mg chol, 583 mg
sod

Note: Recipes have not been kitchen tested by Spotlight Health staff.




Do you have a healthy recipe you'd like to share? Send it to
info@... <mailto:info@...> .




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Get In the Spotlight

Help keep the hope alive by getting involved in Spotlight Health's MS
community. Participate in our online support groups to communicate with
people who understand what youÂ’re going through. Check out our Links
page for even more resources outside Spotlight Health!




MS Support Groups
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MS Links
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Just For Fun




Spotlight on Your Health

Spotlight Health creates celebrity-featured articles on a variety of
health topics. Below are some articles that might interest you.

Meredith Vieira Teams with ‘Flab Five’ to Fight Obesity
As co-host on ABCÂ’s The View, Meredith Vieira gets to talk about every
possible issue. But when it comes to losing weight, talk is cheap. So
Vieira decided to help five overweight kids actually get healthier.

Interested? To read, click here.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/mo.asp?p=DA_0604_1ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>


Sharon Lawrence Dives into Coral Calcium
NYPD Blue alum Sharon Lawrence portrayed a character that made a living
determining right from wrong. Now Lawrence is helping people make a
similar distinction when it comes to the health of the worldÂ’s coral
reefs.

Interested? To read, click here.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/mo.asp?p=DA_0604_2ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>


Jean Smart Has Designs on Curing AlzheimerÂ’s
Losing a loved one to AlzheimerÂ’s disease is never easy. But for former
Designing Women actress Jean Smart the loss of her father last year to
the devastating neurological disease was particularly painful.

Interested? To read, click here.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/mo.asp?p=DA_0604_3ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>






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Center Stage This Month



Growing Number of Potential Oral Treatments



Yoga Reduces Fatigue, Improves Vitality in MS



Inspiration: The Many Faces of MS



This MonthÂ’s Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole



Meredith Vieira Teams with ‘Flab Five’ to Fight Obesity



Sharon Lawrence Dives into Coral Calcium



Jean Smart Has Designs on Curing AlzheimerÂ’s



Just for Fun: JuneÂ’s Word Jumble



Get Involved!



In The Spotlight

Study Finds Yoga Reduces Fatigue and Improves Vitality in MS Patients

After years of anecdotal reports about yogaÂ’s benefits in MS,
researchers at Oregon Health & Science University are the first to study
the issue in a randomized, controlled trial. As a result, there is now
scientific evidence that yoga, a mind-body program involving stationary
postures, meditation, and breathing exercises, reduces fatigue and
improves vitality in MS patients. (1)

Published in the June 8th issue of Neurology, the six-month study
followed 69 MS patients who were divided into three groups: one taking a
weekly 90-minute lyengar yoga class, another group taking a weekly
aerobic exercise class on a stationary bicycle, and a control group
undertaking no exercise whatsoever. Both active groups were encouraged
to practice at home.

At the end of the study period, both active groups demonstrated
significant improvement in measurements of fatigue and vitality as
compared to the control group. As the level of benefit was equivalent,
the study authors concluded that yoga is as effective as conventional
aerobic exercise in reducing fatigue, one of the most common and
disabling symptoms of MS.

“We wanted to see whether [yoga] was beneficial when studied
scientifically, and how it compared with a type of exercise that
physicians are more comfortable recommending—exercise on a stationary
bicycle,” says study co-author Dennis Bourdette, MD. “I believe with
publication of our results, it will gain even more acceptance.”

While the researchers did not find yoga or aerobic exercise to have any
effect on alertness, attention, or other cognitive measurements, they
were encouraged by the improvement in fatigue. “Whether the exercise is
yoga, swimming, using a stationary bicycle, or any other physical
activity…everyone with MS who exercises regularly reports benefit,” says
Bourdette.

Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for MS-related fatigue.

1. Oken BS, Kishiyama S, Zajdel D et al. Randomized controlled trial of
yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2004 Jun
8;62(11):2058-64.





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Inspiration

The Many Faces of MS

For this monthÂ’s inspiration, we offer a glimpse into the lives of four
people who have all devised their own unique perspective on living with
MS and, in the process, attracted media attention for their spirit and
courage. From attending “walking school” to playing professional
football, these individuals demonstrate the power of human determination
in the face of disease.

The Mountain Climber
A sign language instructor at Western Oregon University, Miriam
Richards, 39, has been deaf since birth. She was also diagnosed with MS
last year. But thereÂ’s nothing thatÂ’s going to stop her from climbing
the world’s highest peaks, not the “liability” she poses for climbing
guides, or her fall from OregonÂ’s Mount Hood. SheÂ’s conquered Mount
Kilimanjaro, and sheÂ’s ascended to the highest point in 47 out of 50
states. Now, with the help of a wilderness ranger who is also a sign
language interpreter, she’s planning to finish off the last three. “I
won’t give up my dream,” she says. Read more about Miriam.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/ms.asp?p=I06041ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>

The BBC Radio Journalist
As a journalist for the BBC, Nicky Broyd, 38, had visited the UKÂ’s
National Institute of Conductive Education in Birmingham for a story
about the Princess of WalesÂ’ visit. But she never expected to be back as
a patient. Following her diagnosis with MS five years ago, she recently
attended “walking school” at the Institute to improve her coordination,
movement, and balance. “I wanted to be able to run and dance with my
little girl,” she says . Surprisingly, she discovered that her
instability lay in her trunk more than her legs. Read more about Nicky.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/ms.asp?p=I06042ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>

The NFL Player
When the San Francisco 49ers picked up offensive lineman Kiawatha Downey
as a free agent two weeks ago, he became the first football player with
MS ever to sign with an NFL team. The 49ers were the only team to invite
him to try out, but when they watched him in camp, they liked what they
saw. “It’s a very, very special story,” says head coach Dennis Erickson.
“Our front office gave him a chance.” A Division II All-American at
Indiana University-Pennsylvania, Downey takes an immunomodulator drug
and suffers from fatigue and headaches. Read more about Kiawatha.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/ms.asp?p=I06043ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>

The Actress
By this point, most people know that Terri Garr has MS. After going
public in 2002, she’s been a high-profile spokesperson for Rebif®,
raising awareness through frequent interviews and appearances. But
Washington Post writer Jennifer Huget, who has MS herself, recently got
up close and personal with Terri as only another patient could do. She
explores how the actress and mother of a 10-year-old uses humor to
overcome the daily challenges of MS, and has even renamed the disease
“TickledyBumptyBoom.” Read more about Terri.
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/ms.asp?p=I06044ZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856>





Have you visited our support group lately? Lean on someone today. To
discuss multiple sclerosis-related issues, visit the Multiple Sclerosis
Support Groups by clicking here
<http://www.spotlighthealth.com/ms.asp?p=MS_SGZZZZ&cid=253&rid=2856> ..




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The information contained in this newsletter is presented in summary
form only and is intended to provide broad consumer understanding and
general knowledge of healthcare topics. The information is not
exhaustive and is not intended to cover all diseases, ailments, physical
conditions or their full treatment. Should you have any
healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other
health care provider promptly.



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