LMHS neurologist's MS research published in New England Journal of Medicine

Licking Memorial Health Systems
·1 min read

Neurologist DeRen Huang M.D., Ph.D., of Licking Memorial Neurology was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, for a medical trial regarding the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dr Huang served as the principal investigator of the trial, working with a team to test the effectiveness of a medicine for the treatment of MS.

MS, a disease in the brain and spinal cord, causes a type of white blood cell “B cells” to invade the brain, and attack the coating that protects nerves. The disease is prominent, as it is the most frequent cause of permanent disability in young adults.

Relapsing-remitting MS is characterized by a patient experiencing relapses, and periods of stability in between relapses. Of the various types of MS, relapsing-remitting MS comprises 85 percent of those with the disease.

The trial compared the effectiveness of known medication, Teriflunomide to an experiential medication, Ublituximab in the treatment of relapsing- remitting MS. Ublituximab, is an engineered molecule that acts as an antibody, directed to deplete the B cells to ease inflammation and slow nerve damage.

During the trial, MS patients were randomly divided into two groups- those treated with an established therapy, and those taking the investigational medication, Ubituximab. Dr. Huang then assessed the patients, recording factors that indicated the effectiveness of the treatments.

The study demonstrated that the new medication, Ublituximab, resulted in a lower annualized relapse rate and fewer brain lesions compared to the existing treatment. The percentage of patients that experienced worsening of the disease was not statistically different in either group. The researchers concluded that larger and longer trials are required to determine the efficacy and safety of Ublituximab in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, including comparison with other disease-modifying treatments.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: LMHS neurologist published in NE Journal of Medicine