22 Jan 2003
GenoMed, a Missouri-based genomics company, is seeking volunteers with
multiple sclerosis to test a new medication to be taken in addition to
their current medications.
GenoMed has discovered that an extremely safe class of drugs called
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) may be useful
for many serious diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS).
GenoMed found that patients with MS tend to have overactivity of their ACE enzyme. A logical approach is to inhibit ACE. ACE is located on the surface of two classes of cells important in MS: T cells, which direct an autoimmune attack on brain white matter (the sheaths of nerve cells), and the nerve cells themselves.
The research supporting this new treatment approach was published in
the October 2002 issue of Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics.
© 2003, DataMonitor