Campath may be helpful in aggressive RRMS
As we reported in our 2007 ECTRIMS notes, Campath (aka alemtuzumab) is emerging as a potentially potent drug for relapsing-remitting MS. It depletes T cells and other immune cells and was shown in the CAMMS223 study to reduce relapses and slow/reverse disability.
Campath is now being investigated in MS in two larger, controlled studies (CARE-MS I and II), but these results will not be available for a few years. In the meantime, more evidence that Campath may be helpful comes from a open-label study of 39 people with aggressive RRMS. Their average relapse rate before Campath treatment was 2.48/year; after treatment it dropped to 0.19. EDSS scores also fell over the treatment and follow-up period. There were several adverse events but these were deemed manageable (and there were no cases of ITP, the disease which stopped the CAMMS223 study).
I am a recipient of Campath
I am a recipient of Campath and am thrilled with the results so far. I was speaking to a neuro yesterday about this research. While the reduction in annual relapse rate was 90%+ the reduction in EDSS was not as impressive as the results seen in the Campath Phase II trial. She thought that the patients in this open trial were probably those that did not meet the criteria for the Phase II and current Phase III trials - i.e. perhaps had more disability. This might explain why the reduction is EDSS wasn't as impressive. But Campath is up there with the best in terms of reducing relapses.