Understanding CD20+ T cells in MS Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have shown some efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although CD20 is mostly expressed by B cells, a subpopulation of CD20+ T cells has been identified. The origin of CD20+ T cells and their role in autoimmune diseases are not fully elucidated. Now, Ochs et al. found that T cells can acquire...
Will 2022 be the year AI-assisted MRI enters the management of pwMS?
Regular MRI is a key element in the follow-up of pwMS, particularly those on disease modifying treatment (DMT). Why? Because MRI is significantly more sensitive in detecting MS disease activity than counting relapses and measuring disability using the EDSS (Kurtzke’s Expanded Disability Status Scale). I’m quite precise here referring to the EDSS since other clinical instruments may be...
Why don’t people take part in MS research?
Randomised control trials (RCT) can be challenging for researchers to recruit for. You need eligible, consenting participants who ideally can be retained throughout the study. It’s essential to have an appropriate sample size to ensure the study’s validity. How can patient and public involvement (PPI) help to improve research recruitment? In this study, Dwyer et al. (2021) conducted a qualitative...
The power of an MS diagnosis
How did you feel before you received your MS diagnosis? How did you feel when you got your MS diagnosis? Maybe you’re still waiting for a diagnosis to explain your symptoms.
Vaccines and Ocrelizumab (VELOCE): Old swords, new swords, and how to avoid stab wounds!
As approximately 70% of our newly diagnosed people with MS go onto ocrelizumab (a CD20 and thus B cell-depleting monoclonal antibody), a study that helps us understand how ocrelizumab affects the potential to mount (protective) antibody responses to vaccines and new antigens is more than welcome. Especially, as we are all hoping for the COVID-19 vaccine to be under the Christmas tree. B...
Barts-MS Journal Club 28-Sept-2020
The following is our journal club from 28th September and was presented by Dr Ben Jacobs. Briggs et al. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors α7 and α9 modifies tobacco smoke risk for multiple sclerosis. MSJ First Published September 14, 2020 Research Article Introduction: Tobacco smoke exposure is an established risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), yet how it confers risk is not known. Evidence...
Journal Club: whack-a-mole
The latest Barts-MS journal club describes and discusses the Whack-A-Mole strategy dealing with secondary autoimmunity post-alemtuzumab treatment. It is based on the paper below. Meltzer et al. Mitigating alemtuzumab-associated autoimmunity in MS: A “whack-a-mole” B-cell depletion strategy. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2020 Aug 7;7(6):e868. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000868...