CNS Invaders. In people with ALS, increased numbers of cytotoxic macrophages (pictured above) might enter the central nervous system and damage the motor nerves - contributing to disease progression. Image: MRC National Institute of Medical Research.
Macrophages help keep our tissues healthy and free from infection. But in people with ALS, increased numbers of these immune cells may go into attack mode and enter the central nervous system– spewing toxic cytokines on the motor nerves.
Scientists are working hard to develop treatments that quiet down these cellular attack dogs in hopes to slow down ALS. One of these emerging medicines, Neuraltus Pharmaceutical’s NP001, is soon to be evaluated in the clinic. The phase III clinical trial is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2013.
At the 2012 International Symposium on ALS/MND in Chicago, ALS Today’s Michelle Pflumm PhD talked to California Pacific Medical Center’s Forbes Norris ALS Clinic Director Robert Miller MD to learn more about NP001 and its potential to treat ALS going forward.
To learn more about other emerging medicines for ALS, check out the end of this podcast and our ALS/MND 2012 meeting report ALS Clinical Trials and Tribulations.