Potential ALS Therapy Based on Cancer Treatment Rituximab Shows Promise

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University (BGU) believe that an existing FDA-approved anti-cancer drug, rituximab, could be modified and used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In lab studies with mice, the therapy restored resident immune cells of the central nervous system, which could indicate…

Data from the open-label extension trial of Radicava (edaravone) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) demonstrated that the treatment continued to provide benefits after 48 weeks of treatment. These findings — presented by researchers from MT Pharma America at the May 18-20 European Network for the Cure…

As part of ALS Awareness Month, we’re looking at some of the research into ALS and which populations are more likely to develop the disease. Over the years, researchers have focused on the connection between firefighters and various diseases, including cancer and heart disease, but recent studies have shown that firefighters are more…

French biotech company AB Science presented the results of the Phase 3 clinical trial for its lead compound masitinib, which showed effectiveness in improving the functioning of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The randomized, double-blind clinical trial (NCT02588677) compared the efficacy and…

Mutations in the UBQLN4 gene may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to recent research. The study, “A novel ALS-associated variant in UBQLN4 regulates motor axon morphogenesis,” was published in the journal eLife. Over the years, researchers have identified numerous genes linked to ALS, but the list…

Service dogs are typically thought of as necessary companions for the visually impaired, but service and therapy dogs can be incredibly helpful for those with neuromuscular disorders. As well as being a trusted friend, service dogs can expand owners’ motor abilities, granting them new independence and allowing them to get more out of…

May is ALS Awareness Month, so it is timely that on May 5, the FDA approved the first new treatment in 22 years for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The drug, Radicava (edaravone) has been found to slow down the decline of physical ability in ALS patients by a third.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics has begun training the cell manufacturing team at City of Hope’s Center for Biomedicine and Genetics to produce NurOwn adult stem cells for a Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Los Angeles-based City of Hope will be the clinical…

AB Science will suspend its ongoing masitinib studies in France in patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. However, its studies in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can continue. The pharmaceutical company said it received notice from the French medicines agency Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Médicaments,…

A gene therapy aimed at strengthening the connection between motor neurons and muscle prevented nerve degeneration and increased the life span of mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study showed. Since researchers believe that neurodegeneration in ALS starts at the junction between nerves and muscle, the findings suggest that…