4th December 2024
The work of the International Progressive MS Alliance was on display during the world’s largest annual international scientific meeting focused on MS – ECTRIMS – which took place in September 2024. Two Alliance-funded investigators presented their research at the conference, both with a focus on treating and solving progressive MS.
Both projects were shared in the scientific track focused on Neuroprotective Therapies.
Dr. Francisco Quintana of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the United States presented, “Astrocytes as a new target for MS therapy.” The Alliance provides complete funding for this project as part of Dr. Quintana’s Drug Discovery Collaborative Network. This research is studying a signaling process between two types of brain cells, astrocytes and microglia, called the Ephrin B3 pathway. When this pathway is activated, it causes astrocytes to become harmful and overly reactive. If this pathway is blocked, there is less inflammation in the brain, which could be helpful in treating MS. The study is working to identify potential compounds that can block this pathway.
Dr. Don Mahad of the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom shared his research, “Diverse roles of mitochondria in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.” The Alliance has funded Dr. Mahad’s work on the biological mechanism behind the research he presented at ECTRIMS, which is focused on finding a drug that targets mitochondria (the parts of the cell that make energy) in the brain in order to protect the nerve cells that are damaged in patients with MS. Currently the study is looking at pioglitazone, which is already used to treat diabetes.
Two additional presentations acknowledged Alliance funding in some aspect of their work, including:
- “Overview of CAR-T therapy in autoimmune diseases” – Dr. Frauke Zipp of the University Medicine Mainz in Germany.
- “Assessing treatment effectiveness with blood biomarkers” – Dr. Jens Kuhle of the University Hospital, Basel in Switzerland.
In addition to the scientific platform presentations, 55 posters were presented that acknowledged funding from the Alliance.
“The Alliance’s commitment to funding research that is focused on solving progressive MS was well-represented at this year’s ECTRIMS,” said Dr. Robert Fox, Chair of the Alliance’s Scientific Steering Committee. “Whether it’s finding ways to diagnose MS sooner or the possibility of a new treatment that slows progression, we’re excited about the research that we see coming to life from our research portfolio.”
More information about the Alliance-funded research presented at ECTRIMS – both oral presentations and posters – can be found in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal’s special ECTRIMS issue.