Walter Gefrom

Project Manager in Civil Engineering

New Medication for Treating EBV Shows Promise

by Leave a Comment

Recently, Walter Gefrom discussed the announcement from scientists and researchers that the Epstein-Barr Virus could be to blame for triggering or even causing Multiple Sclerosis. With this in mind, doctors are now setting their focus on ways to treat EBV directly; one such treatment is already showing great promise for patients.

Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. is entering Phase 2 of a clinical trial of an experimental new T-cell immunotherapy treatment, ATA118.  This new medication specifically targets Epstein-Barr Virus in people with MS.  Among the 24 volunteers involved in the clinical trial, 20 have already shown signs of improvement with their MS symptoms and/or major indication of a halt in disease progression after a year of treatment with ATA118.

This is incredibly exciting news for the MS warrior community!  A longtime advocate for the advancement of research and treatment accessibility for individuals living with MS, Walter Gefrom is ecstatic to learn of this glimmering beacon of light in the community.  Here’s to more positive news in the development of how the treatment of EBV could impact how so many people experience multiple sclerosis.

Lucid-MS shows promise in restoring motor function

by Leave a Comment

Walter Gefrom Animal Model

A potential new Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) called Lucid-MS is showing great promise in an animal model. Walter Gefrom shares his thoughts on the revolutionary new chemical molecule:

FSD Pharma is developing a treatment for MS that may have the potential to restore motor function.  Thus far, the molecule, known as Lucid-MS, has shown promise in an animal model.  After 50 consecutive days of treatment, the animals tested appeared to regain lost motor function.  The recovery was so significant that these mice exhibited motor function similar to that of otherwise healthy mice.  In celebration of this achievement in the lab, the developers of Lucid-MS have now submitted an investigational new drug application, which will be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2022.

It is currently unclear what exactly Lucid-MS is targeting in its treatment of MS.  But it is certainly exciting to see that the drug could have the potential to restore motor function for MS patients — or anyone experiencing a similar neurological disorder. 

However, Walter Gefrom would like to offer some cautionary advice.  Do not jump to conclusions just yet!  Of course, there are always drugs in development.  Some make it to clinical trials, others simply underperform in mice trials and never see the light of day.  While it is exciting to hear that Lucid-MS is showing promise with mice, we must remember: humans are not mice.  A human individual with Multiple Sclerosis is going to react differently to medication or any other form of treatment than a mouse.  Although this trial may be a good indicator of things to come, it’s far too early to say if the promise will truly pack the punch.