Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Teriflunomide - affects the immune system by blocking the action of a specific set
of immune cells called T cells, which are thought to be responsible for causing damage
to the brain and spinal cord in those with MS. Other immune functions are thought
to be left intact, affording those with MS some immune protection against pathogens.
Phase II trial results were published in 2006 involving two different doses of Teriflunomide
over 36 weeks in a trial involving 179 those with relapsing remitting MS, 157 those
with secondary progressive MS who still experience relapses and 22 who received placebo.
MRI brain scans were performed every 6 weeks.
Both doses of drug tested in the study were associated with reduced numbers of active
MRI lesions.
Fewer those receiving the higher dose of Teriflunomide demonstrated disability increase
compared to placebo. No effect on relapse rate was observed.
One phase III study called TEMSO involving 870 those with MS, assessing if teriflunomide
is able to reduce the frequency of relapses and the accumulation of disability began
in Sept 2004 and was completed in June 07.
The results have not yet been published. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00134563
Another world-wide study involving 780 those with multiple sclerosis is attempting
to assess if teriflunomide is able to reduce the number of those who go on to develop
clinically definite multiple sclerosis after having their first symptoms, compared
to placebo.
This began in February 2008. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00622700
Other phase II studies are assessing the effects of teriflunomide in conjunction
with beta interferon therapies.
