Apologies if ive already harped on about this before, i have a rubbish memory.
Does anybody know where i can get information on how the cambridge centre for myelin repairs stem cell trial is doin?
I have so much interest in this trial for the obvious reasons, but you can never find any update on it.
I now trials take a while but there must be some kind of news?
Or even, does anyone know anybody thats on this trial, id be so happy to talk to someone like that, cant seem to come across one.
Googling Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repairs brings up Robin Franklin. I had a look for anything he’s published about stem cells and MS and there was nothing related to trial data. Assuming that he’s going to have his name on anything that the Centre publishes, I guess that they haven’t released any data yet.
It says on this website that the project was starting in 2011 and they hoped to start a trial in three years. So I guess they may not even have started yet.
Karen x
yeah thats the guy, thought they’d started already, could be my mistake though.
the old waiting game then maybe,
thanks for your input karen
I read a press release recently which stated that they had started phase 3 trials and were recruiting. I applied, but wasn’t considered because I live in Glasgow. No results were mentioned, but unlikely they would go to phase 3 unless successful.
Hello people, I spoke to the lovely Dr. Emma Gray- our Research Communications Officer, who told me this…
"The Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair is now in the second year of its second phase. The second phase aims to build on the discoveries of the first phase where researchers discovered that targeting the molecule RXR-gamma in laboratory models of MS can encourage the brain’s own stem cells to repair damaged myelin. The long term aim of this second stage is to run a small clinical trial of a drug that targets RXR-gamma in people with MS.
The trial is now being organised and will be run by Dr Coles (who also works in the Cambridge Centre) with collaborators in London and Edinburgh. The team have worked on and finalised the imaging techniques that will be used in the trial for measuring changes in MS lesions. They are now working on securing the use of the drug in the clinical trial."
So, it hasn’t quite started yet.
Kind regards
Stewart (admin)
How do we apply…
Are there two trials going on in Cambridge just now? Prof. Neil Scolding is running the stem cell trial which I think is different from the drug trial mentioned in the previous post.
To clarify, I tapped on the shoulder of the ever helpful Dr. Emma Gray- who told me this…
There is only one clinical trial being run at the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair. It will be using a drug that targets RXR-gamma that has the potential to stimulate the brain’s own stem cells to repair damaged myelin. So it will tap into the brain own source of stem cells as opposed to transplanting stem cell from another source back into the brain and spinal.
The trial hasn’t started yet – it is still in the planning stages – but they are making good progress. It will be a very small trial of around 30 people with MS. We will be communicating the start, progress and results of the trial on the website as and when they happen.
For anyone that wants to get involved in research studies or clinical trials – we have a ‘be in a study’ web page. This page provides information about clinical trials and research studies that are currently looking for participants. The page is updated regularly, so it is worth checking often as new studies are posted all the time. http://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-research/get-involved-research/be-in-a-study
Another useful website to find out about ongoing clinical trials around the world is http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . This searchable website provides information about clinical trials, including whether the trial is currently recruiting participants or not.
If anyone is interested in taking part in clinical trials, it is a good idea to speak with their neurologist or MS nurse about it and what’s involved etc. Often neurologists can refer (if they fit the inclusion/ exclusion criteria) people to the team conducting the trial
Below are some other ways of getting involved in research:
Stewart (admin)
Professor Scolding is in Bristol. He is a pioneer of stem cell work, but unless he has a very long commute, it’s unlikely he’s part of the Cambridge team. I think the Bristol trials are entirely separate.
Tina