Immune-modulator may be first oral MS drug

NEW YORK A study published in The Lancet Saturday has found that an immune-modulating drug can reduce the number of brain lesions associated with multiple sclerosis.

An international team of scientists conducted the study with 306 MS patients who received laquinimod. Patients who received daily doses of 0.6mg experienced reductions in the cumulative number of brain lesions of 40 percent compared to those who received the placebo, while patients receiving 0.3 mg doses did not experience a significant reduction.

Most drugs to treat MS are injected, but laquinimod is administered orally. Active Biotech is developing the drug, which entered phase III testing last June.