Switching from Tysabri to Tecfidera: VIDEO

Dr. Daniel Kantor talks about switching from Tysabri to Tecfidera and the outcomes.
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Multiple Sclerosis and Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Risks and Detection: VIDEO

Fred Lublin, MD, explains that prior to the use of Tysabri (natalizumab), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) had never been observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Providing accurate figures about the risk of PML to patients who may be or are being treated with natalizumab iscritically important in makingthe best treatment choices. PML is not as severe and lethal in the setting of MS as in other diseases, such as HIV. Still, he adds,PML often leaves individuals left with some kind of disability, and the mortality rate in MS is about 20%.

Is $13,000 a dose too much for a medicine: VIDEO

One hundred thousand dollars a year. That’s how much a specialty drug can cost. They’re newer medicines for diseases like multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C and cancer. Many insurers and others say the costs are bankrupting our health care system.

VIDEO: Dr. Timothy Vollmer

 

Dr. Timothy Vollmer

"There have been significant advances in the last few years about the cause of MS 
There appears to be several different factors. One is genetics; the disease is more prevalent in people from Northern Europe. The second one is low Vitamin D levels early in life, and possibly in in-utero, increase the risk of MS subsequently," University of Colorado Doctor Tim Vollmer said.

He says people in Colorado are normally diagnosed with low-levels of Vitamin D. Some experts believe Vitamin D levels may be low in the state because of Coloradan's use of sunscreen.

Vollmer says new MS research and treatments are progressing at a remarkable rate.

"The field Multiple Sclerosis is one of the most rapidly evolving fields of medicine right now. We have eight FDA therapies and three that are likely to be approved within the next year to 18 months. In the last year or so, we've developed a new blood test that would identify patients who are at risk of some of the serious side effects of the drugs. As a consequence, we can now identify people who are likely to do very well on a certain drug with a very low risk," Vollmer said.