NZ Team in MS Breakthrough

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NZ Team in MS Breakthrough(Sunday Star - Times; Wellington, New Zealand)NEW ZEALAND scientists believe they may havediscovered a cure for multiple sclerosis.Scientists describe the findings as a breakthrough,but say it will be several years before the treatmentis available.In New Zealand, 4000 people have the disease, whichusually strikes between the ages of 20 to 40, causingblurred vision, shaking, and numb fingers and toes.Many patients are confined to wheelchairs, andultimately the disease can be fatal.But researchers at Wellington's Malaghan Institutehave discovered a way to help the body cure itself ofthe disease.The treatment has been proven in the laboratory and ifit works in people, may spell an end to thedebilitating disease."For us, it is fantastic," said Dr Backstrom,who leads the research team."I have never seen something like that and I wouldnever have dreamed of it a year ago."It is a major breakthrough."The scientists have discovered a way to kick-start thebody's "good" immune or regulatory T cells intoblocking the actions of other "aggressive" T cells andpreventing the onset of MS.Backstrom hoped that a drug company would beginclinical trials before the end of the year.It would be several years before the treatment wasavailable to the public.Copyright © 2003 Medical World Communications, Inc.All rights reserved.Dr Backstrom wants to discover why the T-cells, the most important part of the immune system, attack healthy tissues in people with these diseases. If he gets an answer then finding cures will be easier.http://www.malaghan.org.nz/aboutus/news/1999/10.12.medicinelengthens.htm