2 PML deaths scare investors, not MS patients or docs

As the WSJ reports, Elan and Biogen shares were hit hard by news of two additional cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) among the 31,800 MS patients on Tysabri. According to the article, though, doctors and patients are "unfazed."

Of course they are. That's because investors can put their money in any of a zillion other places, but an MS patient's available alternatives are pretty limited, especially given that Tysabri is "generally recommended for patients who have not been helped enough by, or cannot tolerate" the interferons, glatiramer, or mitoxantrone.

More data on Tysabri: MRI outcomes

New data indicate that Tysabri reduces both quantity and volume of lesions showing up on MRI examination, as compared to placebo. Here's a link to the abstract.

I wonder how that compares to the CRABs.

Study: Tysabri reduces MS vision loss

Forbes.com reports that a new study finds Tysabri (which the report describes as "controversial") reduces vision loss by almost half. Snip:

"Vision loss is probably one of the most disabling things that happens to people with MS," said lead researcher Dr. Laura J. Balcer, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "The exciting thing is, first, that we now have an eye-chart test that can pick that up and can show if treatments help vision. Second, this particular drug appears to help prevent vision loss."

I haven't had much noticeable vision trouble, though I remember several years ago I had a bit of vision loss in my right eye when I got overheated. Seems like it mostly resolved after a month or so.
Link.