Last week the MS Society’s 20/30 Group covered current Multiple Sclerosis trials and offered some tips for those interested in enrolling.
Sure, you know there are always risks involved. But just take a look at a few of the trials sprouting up and tell me you’re not interested…

Dr. Barry Hendin dropped in as the speaker of the night, starting with a breakdown of current procedures for drug trials. In summary, clinical trials can last through to Phase 3 (placebo-controlled to diagnosed patients, the most common) or even Phase 4 (translate proved research to similar dieseases).

Cutting to the chase, the MS community is seeing rapid growth in the variety of trials available. Several focus on combining two current drug treatments while others focus on new means of delivery (we’re talking five oral medication trials in Phase 3 today!).

Interested? Some interesting points to note:

• Some, but not all trials will require you to never have taken a prescription for MS. That means there are a good number that WILL allow you to sign up even with prior treatment, only usually after a brief period without said drug (think 3-6 months)
• These are not overnight trials here, as MS is something that may come and go in long intervals. Many trials are looking at around a two-year commitment… sometimes stretching longer.
• Due to the history of effectiveness in ABCR’s (platform agents) you will RARELY see a trial that proposes one of these agents could be a placebo. You might be getting a placebo in plenty of ways, but most doctors seem to be steering away from any trial that might be handing over a placebo in place of a platform agent.
• These trials not only offer the most current science, but will cover your expense for the medication. Note however, that there have been some cases where a trial will cover only part of the total expense (Doctor’s visits, MRI’s and the like) so make sure to read the contract!

Full transparency, I just completed a two-turned-to-three year trial here in Phoenix and it was a good fit. I got the treatment I was looking for (they covered drug and testing expenses) and I had a couple extra sets of eyes looking over me for a couple years (it wasn’t without a little struggle along the way).

My suggestion? As always, talk to your doctor. They’ll know all the dirty little details, but least now you’ll know a couple more questions to ask.