Emailing: Multiple Sclerosis South Africa - Support Group

[Guest guest]

ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?; GOT IT FROM MS UK. JIM

Esperanza Peptide Now available in South AfricaA new drug derived from the cobra venom is showing great scientific promise against MS and sister diseases affecting the nervous and immune systems

I am sure, like me, most of you have received spam mail about Esperanza Peptide. At first the mail served to get acquainted with the alternative medication, then followed the 'great' news that the product is now available in SA. So, with a resigned feeling of "okay, okay you win" I started doing research on Esperanza Peptide.What is Esperanza Peptide?The Esperanza Research Foundation has synthesized a harmless peptide (a small protein) from cobra venom. How does it work? According to the company, by binding to nerve cell receptors as a modified peptide instead of as a toxin, the venom-derived drug, called Immunokine, morphs into a therapeutic agent that can reverse the debilitating effects of MS. How is it administered?It is a 'sublingual' spray: in other words sprayed under the tongue once daily. Originally Immunokine was injected as many as 4 times daily, but has since been replaced with a once a day patented sublingual delivery format. When did research start on Immunokine?Time Pacific magazine reports that "For more than 20 years, Biotherapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phylomed Corporation) in conjunction with Esperanza Peptide Ltd and the International Centre of Excellence, Ltd. and funded through The Esperanza Research Foundation has been conducting clinical trials of Immunokine, a drug derived from Thailand cobra venom, on people with multiple sclerosis. Are there any proven clinical trials published?No. If you Google 'Esperanza Peptide' there are literally pages and pages of information on the medication, but I have yet to find any clinical published reports anywhere. BioTherapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Phylomed Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company that has developed and patented a series of modified peptides (small proteins) in conjunction with Esperanza Peptide Ltd. and The International Centre of Excellence, Ltd. and funded through The Esperanza Research Foundation which show promise in the treatment of AIDS, multiple sclerosis, viral disease, and cancer. The company has developed new drug delivery options and is testing a patented oral spray that eliminates the need for daily injections. But, all in the test stage, nothing concrete as yet.Comments and articles

MS Canada reported that a small trial involving 25 MS patients resulted in the following information: "In trials in 25 MS patients, a-Immunokine-NNS03 100microgram/ml by injection up to 4x/day produced disease stabilization and EDSS score improvement in up to 95 of patients, respectively."

A Canadian Phase I/II trial was placed on hold and a UK Phase I trial in adrenomyeloneuropathy was recently successfully completed. An FDA IND was expected to be filed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by Aug 2001. It was also tested in Chile in prostate cancer patients.MS Canada further reports that: "Immunokine has been tried in several patients with MS under non-placebo controlled conditions with initial encouraging results. The company that makes the drug may soon apply to Health Canada to test it at several Canadian MS clinics. Additional details will be provided when they become available. The study of Immunokine was a Phase I trial. This is a short study in which both the people receiving the therapy and the study investigators know the participants are receiving active treatment. The primary outcome is to test for safety of the therapy."

ChemWeb.com reports that "MS at this point is not curable, but hopefully, Immunokine will be a treatment much like insulin is for diabetics."

According to ChemWeb.com "Immunokine has been promisingly affective with little or no side affects. Which is very promising considering that patients often have several allergies due to immune system dysfunction. The drug is more affective the earlier it is taken in the progression of MS. Though, if taking Copaxone ,a drug treatment for reduction of relapses in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, in the past the Immunokine will show no positive treatment. It helps with pain relief in legs and arms, noting that relief came at times as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after administration. Second, this debilitating disease leaves many MS Sufferers having to use walking aids or wheel chairs in an effort to be mobile, due to a loss in coordination. Immunokine enables a restoration of a sense of balance. Those on the drug have even reported that their migraines seem to lessen or become non-existent. Still, though, the FDA has yet to approve the drug for use in America."And on and on and on the pros and cons of Esperanza Peptide are argued. So, how shall I define my findings on the medication?1. The companies involved with the research and manufacture of Esperanza Peptide seem to be sound.2. Initial findings specifically for PwMS seem to be promising, although these findings certainly need to be done on a larger, structured scale so that it can be termed as "results".3. So many products have been presented as "positive" and "alleviation" for conditions of MS that one can not help being skeptical and very careful. I would certainly not want to recommend any product on this website that has not been trialled and tested and approved in an acceptable way.4. And, I am afraid that spamming my mailbox with zillions of testimonials from PwMS might make for interesting reading and make me sit up and take notice, but give me the real stuff, guys! We need proof that your product will not harm PwMS, how will it affect RRMS? PPMS? PMS? And the cost? And long term effects? Any ongoing trials? Any proven side effects?I have lived with MS for 18 years, have seen many products come and go promising all sorts for persons living with MS, I have learnt to be cautious, careful before getting my hopes up. BUT, I am also open minded, so, here's the invitation:If you live in South Africa and use Esperanza Peptide, please contact us, tell us about your experience, have you had any real benefits from this medication? We would appreciate any South African feedback! Resources:http://www.esperanzapeptide.net/news.php#Neurology-Journalhttp://www.bio.com http://www.chemweb.com http://www.esperanzapeptide.net/power-point/4 http://www.mswarrior.org http://blog.thesmithlife.com/

E-mail Multiple Sclerosis Universe

oMultiple Sclerosis Universe All rights reserved -- a South African Support Group --updated april 2007

[Guest guest]

Hi All, Have just returned from National AGM of MSSA where we had a talk from the only GP qualified to administer PEPTIDE. He has given Peptide to 3 people at a cost of $US 10 000.00 each or in Rands (SAs money) about R72 000.00 for a years supply, the cost of a small motor car!! One is personal friend of mine and Peptide has not made one iota of a difference. The third has also not responded to it at all, according to the GP. This might be useful to you all. Malcolm

[Guest guest]

Malcolm, thanks for informing us about the peptide. I would love to hear it works but have had much negative feedback from others which proves to me it does nothing except empty your pockets.

Blessings, Kathy

[low dose naltrexone] Re:Emailing: Multiple Sclerosis South Africa - Support Group

Hi All, Have just returned from National AGM of MSSA where we had a talk from the only GP qualified to administer PEPTIDE. He has given Peptide to 3 people at a cost of $US 10 000.00 each or in Rands (SAs money) about R72 000.00 for a years supply, the cost of a small motor car!! One is personal friend of mine and Peptide has not made one iota of a difference. The third has also not responded to it at all, according to the GP. This might be useful to you all. Malcolm