BG-12?

[Elise1114]

My brother called me today to tell about BG-12 being all over the news and that it will apparently be the new go-to drug for RRMS.

I've been reading a little online and wondered what you have heard and what you think about the prospect.

I'm cautiously optimistic at this point.

[Bob698]

Sounds like it could be available in 2012 or 2013.

[Myoak]

Just my opinion... but BG-12 may become a prime treatment option. It has a very favorable safety profile compared with current MS meds, it is oral, and BG-12's effectiveness is quite good.

According to the press releases I've been looking at,

1. BG-12 reduced the risk of relapse by 49%-50%
2. Reduced the annualized relapse rate by 48%-53%
3. Reduced risk of disability progression 34%-38%

Mri's performed at baseline, 24 weeks, one year and two years showed BG-12...

1.Reduced the mean # of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions by 74%-85%
2.Reduced the mean # of Gd+ lesions 73%-90%
3.Reduced the mean # of new T1 hypointense lesions 63%-72%

Bg-12 appears to be a potential blockbuster. Biogen will have no qualms about pricing it as such, so it could easily cost $3500- $4000 per month, if not more, Tysabri and Gilenya are already priced in that range.

[knuckle]

I posted this link earlier in response to "LDN vs. Fumaric Acid":

ECTRIMS: 'Wow' Results for Oral Fumarate in MS

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingC.../ECTRIMS/29158

Dimethyl Fumarate is derived from Fumaric Acid which is derived from Malic Acid, which is found in great quantity in apples.

You can buy Fumaric Acid as a supplement today and it has been used for years as a treatment for Psoriasis - another autoimmune disease.

Malic Acid is also a cheap supplement and studies have found, along with Magnesium, it reduces pain and alleviates fatigue in Fibromyalgia. I would imagine it would do the same for people with MS.

Evidently, our bodies make Fumaric Acid when exposed to sunlight. Wow, now there's a connection.

So, while you wait for BG12 you can start supplementing with Fumaric Acid, or Malic Acid, eating lot's of apples and getting a lot of direct sunlight (or maybe just vitamin D). I read that Fumaric Acid has basically the same side-effects as Dimethyl Fumarate (flushing and gastro-intestinal discomfort).

[sueruth2002yahoo.com]

FUMURIC ACID

WOW!! WHO KNEW. NEED SOME NOW.

[Sequoia]

Both Fumaric Acid and Malic Acid have some potential to cause kidney problems. People who are in the BG-12 trials presumably have their kidney function monitored.

Anyone self-treating with FA or MA probably shouldn't take more than 600 mg and should stay well hydrated, just to be on the safe side. (I'm currently taking 600 mg of Malic Acid myself.)

Here's one article on Fumaric Acid Esters (Fumaderm) which covers side effects:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/503441_7

[Kimmy92279]

Saw my neuro Monday for a follow-up and he also mentioned this drug coming out in the future and that it is supposedly going to be the go to drug for MS. It would be really nice to be rid of the site reactions from my Copaxone shots.

[KatW]

The new MS focus has some info on BG-12. It also discusses Lemtrada which is given once a year and decreases relapse rates by 49%. Both are in phase III clinical trials.

[knuckle]

Here's something to research...

Google: apple cider vinegar multiple sclerosis

Then do it again with Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Psoriasis.

What's in apple cider vinegar? Lot's of malic acid. Google all these autoimmune conditions again with malic acid.

I think what you've got here is a very plausible natural therapy for MS worth considering.

[rdmc]

Today I saw the MS specialist who's supposed to be the best in our area (took me 6 months to get appt.)

I consulted him because of some symptoms caused by a medulla lesion...that my GP and regular neuro can't seem to manage.

Anyhoo, he was singing the praises of BG12...I'm going to switch DMDs for now, but he said i'd probably only want to do that for a year...then go with BG12, Hope it's the success he seemed to think it will be.

[owlnona]

I asked my neuro last yr. about new meds. his opion was "If it ain't broke don't fix it." I also saw a "Big neuro" in Chicago ( D-I-L's idea) he said the same thing. I've been on Rebif for 12yrs. & I've only had 2 flairs 1 caused by an Ecoli infection, & 1 after the death of my husband,due to stress.
Keep us posted, God Bless Nona Judy

[its2much]

Sounds very exciting

but that cost of $3500-4000 is discouraging....

[cranberrysauce]

yeah, my neuro is excited for BG-12. Betaseron has stopped working for me and I'm switching to copaxone.

In his opinion, there's no reason to try another interferon if one isn't working. And, I have bad injection site reactions to the betaseron so we're both worried about the copaxone.

He's happy because it will be another first line drug but he basically told me if the copaxone works that he intends to keep me on it until it doesn't! Too many of these drugs just stop working for us and we don't have a ton of options so I don't see a reason to ever change unless I have too!!

So, BG-12 is on my horizon as a safety net. At least if the copaxone doesn't work I don't necessarily have to start contemplating tysabri and gileyna.

[TLC_31]

Biogen submitted BG-12 for approval today

I don't see it on this release, but I thought I read somewhere they're asking for a "fast track" to approval, maybe four months? Otherwise it's probably about 12 months.

http://www.biogenidec.com/PRESS_RELE...&ReqId=1666509