Question 4: Are there any updates on AHSCT and BTK inhibitors. What is BTK?
Answer: Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT), more commonly known as a bone marrow transplant, uses high doses of chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody treatments to attempt to restart the immune system and prevent further damage to the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves in people with relapsing MS.
Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are potential new treatments for MS that are more selective than the existing disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) about which B cells they target. So, they could potentially reduce the chance and severity of potential side effects compared to current DMTs. Professor Hobart spoke about both AHSCT and BTK inhibitors in the webinar.
Below is a link to the MS Society website, where they discuss the potential of BTK inhibitors and provide links to a variety of trials undertaking this research.
Under the microscope: what is the potential of BTK inhibitors?
Regarding Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT), Sheffield Teaching Hospitals are currently recruiting for a trial called StarMS, which is investigating if stem cell transplantation should be used in patients with highly active MS. Below you will find a link to the StarMS home page, which provides information about the background to the trial and the trial itself.
The following link is for a news article from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, discussing the StarMS trial while speaking to the Lead Trial Neurologist, Chief Investigator, and the Executive Director of Research & External Affairs at the MS Society.
Information on this trial can also be found in the Current MS Research section of this website.