An existing drug may slow MS progression after showing early promise in a world-first clinical trial.
Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory medicine, has progressed to the second stage of the Octopus trial.
The diabetes medicine metformin, which was also being assessed, has been removed from the trial after failing to demonstrate positive findings.
Researchers from the Queen Square MS Centre and the innovative clinical trials unit at University College London are running the study, which has recruited more than 850 people at hospitals across the UK and Australia.
Researchers believe high-dose ALA could have the potential to become the first neuroprotective treatment for MS.
However, they cautioned that further research is needed to fully understand the drug’s safety and dosage and said people should not attempt to obtain it outside a clinical trial.
Professor Jeremy Chataway, a UCL neurologist who is leading the study, said: “This is very exciting and proves not only that the Octopus trial design works, but that a new way of protecting nerves could be on the horizon.
“Of course, learning that metformin will be discontinued is disappointing. But finding treatments for progressive MS is extremely difficult, and we’re so pleased to be taking alpha-lipoic acid into the second stage of the trial.
“We’re now looking forward not only to seeing what the final results are, but also to adding in new ‘arms’ to Octopus next year.
“In the meantime, we do need to remind people with MS to not try to source unproven drugs outside the safety of a clinical trial.”
MS can cause symptoms including chronic fatigue, bladder and bowel problems and difficulties with mobility.
More than a dozen treatments are available for people with relapsing MS, where symptoms can come and go. New treatments are needed for progressive MS to slow or stop the nerve damage that causes disability.
Dr Emma Gray, director of research at the MS Society, which is funding the trial, said: “We are so proud to be funding the first ever multi-arm multi-stage (MAMs) trial for people with progressive MS.
“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable but today’s results are a huge step forward and show treatments to slow or stop MS progression have never been more within our reach.
“Octopus was made possible entirely by public donations and our Stop MS Appeal.
“We’re continuing to seek funding from our generous supporters for the future delivery of the trial to build a future where no-one needs to worry about MS getting worse.”
Professor Max Parmar, from UCL, said the trial design, which has also been used for prostate cancer, works to accelerate “the evaluation of promising therapies” and deliver benefits to patients “years, and in some cases decades, sooner than would have been possible with conventional approaches”.
He added: “The potential to evaluate treatments more efficiently and accelerate progress for people living with MS is incredibly exciting.”
