Multiple sclerosis support - Genetic Milestone?

Author

Genetic Milestone?

Tim

2005-03-19, 5:17 pm

I thought that some of you may be interested in this. Those who are
against all forms of genetic research had better look away,

Tim

SERONO ANNOUNCES MAJOR MILESTONE IN IDENTIFYING THE GENES INVOLVED IN
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Identification of 80 genes involved in the inflammatory and
neuro-degenerative pathways of MS provide potential new drug targets

GENEVA, Switzerland and EVRY, France – March 17, 2005 - Serono
(virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA), the world's third largest biotechnology
company, announced today that researchers at the Serono Genetics
Institute (SGI) have achieved a major milestone in identifying and
creating a register of genes involved in multiple sclerosis (MS). For
the first time in this disease area, researchers at the SGI have
identified 80 genes involved in the inflammatory and
neuro-degenerative pathways of MS, based on a 40% genome scan
comparing the genetic profile of a total of 1,800 people with MS and
healthy individuals in different populations.

"We are excited about this significant step forward in building a
complete inventory of genes involved in MS," said Professor Daniel
Cohen, Vice-President and Worldwide Head of Genetics at Serono. "The
completion of the MS Whole Genome Scan in 2006 will lead to a
comprehensive catalogue of potential MS drug targets providing a basis
for the future development of innovative MS therapies."

"We are dedicated to the task of understanding diseases and developing
the treatments of the future," said Ernesto Bertarelli, CEO of Serono.
"Through our current marketed products, such as Rebif®, our research
and development projects and the major findings announced today,
Serono is underscoring its commitment to improving the lives of people
with MS and will pave the way for innovative treatments."

The understanding of the disease genetics in MS will enhance Serono's
drug discovery in identifying proteins that can be used either as
targets for drug development or directly as therapeutics. In addition,
the knowledge of genetics in MS provides a basis for better designing
safer and more effective drugs and enabling physicians to address
unmet needs and potentially better match treatments to the individual
patient.

Even though Tysabri has gone there is apparantly a little light at the
end of this tunnel. Hopefully

Celeste

2005-03-23, 5:34 pm

How in the world can 80 genes provide a target that will treat a large
number of people? It goes back to many of us have thought for years that
more than on problem or disease is involved with similar symptoms. Is kind
of wierd that the great majority of diseases can be isolated to 1-2 genes
but this one cant. Something is still very wrong with how the evaluations
and diagnosises are assigned. It kind of goes back to the diagnosis of well
I dont know how to fit the symptoms into any other disease so it must be MS.

We will end up with a bunch more tysabri like fiascos. Hey, I would have
thought that alpha-4 integrin was an excellent target based on stuff I read
3-4 years ago. Who would have known that it would have such side effects?
We are better off figuring out what works for each individual.

With over 80 possible genes involved then the only way to get a good
treatment is to profile each individual patient against a microarray
containing the data for the 'baseline' MS patient. This will allow a doctor
to determine a custom treatment for each.

Celeste

white.lynx

2005-03-23, 5:35 pm

It has being my understanding for several years already that the genetic
makeup indicates susceptibility to the disease rather than been an
indication of the disease. This research has been going on more than 15
years with one of the two primary geneticists involved being located at the
University of British Columbia. A couple years ago they were talking about
60 different genetic combinations that were more likely to develop multiple
sclerosis.

The latest I recall hearing from their study was that if you had a certain
genetic makeup you are more likely to be affected by the disease while other
genetic makeups made it very unlikely that you would ever develop the
disease. Just because you had these genetic features did not mean you would
get the disease. My instinct would be that there is a virus which is more
are likely to successfully attack certain individuals given the right
trigger.

The disease would appear to be one of demyelination. Based on my readings
over the years, Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis appears to deal
primarily myelin damage to the exterior of the central nervous system such
as the spinal cord, parts of the brain and the peripheral nervous system.
Progressive multiple sclerosis would appear to be more likelyattacking
myelin at the cellular or axion level.

I would think that it is more likely to be one disease attacking in
different ways.

Whatever the cause, it would be nice for researchers to find a solution - a
cure instead of treatment of symptoms. I think the best bet will be in
stopping people from getting the disease in the first place, rather than
helping those of us with the disease already although that would be nice.

Larry
Rather than building character, adversity tends to reveal it
written using voice recognition software,

"Celeste" <celesteial@adelphia.net> wrote>
<snip>
> With over 80 possible genes involved then the only way to get a good
> treatment is to profile each individual patient against a microarray
> containing the data for the 'baseline' MS patient. This will allow a
> doctor to determine a custom treatment for each.
>
> Celeste
>

Celeste

2005-03-29, 7:15 pm