If you are a reader of this Blog, you know I recently returned from The Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, disappointed and dejected after having been denied entrance into their Clinical Stem Cell Trial for MSA. Shame on me for not having a back-up plan! After recovering from the pain of having been denied, I set out to find the next best set of trials available to MSA sufferers looking for a “Miracle”. This is part 2 of a 4 part series, in which I share the results of my month long research. Though I have ranked these for my own personal path forward, I will not share that with you until I start blogging about my participation in my #1 choice, sometime after January of next year. Instead, I will leave it to you to find the best trial for you. So, with number two in my series I present …
Part 2 of 4: “Navigating New Horizons: My Perspective on the ONO-2808 Clinical Trial for MSA”
As someone living with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), the journey to find effective treatment is filled with hope and uncertainty. The recent announcement of the Phase 2 study of ONO-2808, sponsored by Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, has caught my attention and that of the MSA community. This study, aiming to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of ONO-2808 in MSA patients, is a significant step in our quest for better treatment options.
The Bright Spots of ONO-2808 Trial:
- Innovative Approach: ONO-2808 is being tested for the first time in MSA patients, making this a pioneering study in the field. It brings hope that this drug could offer some relief or even slow down the progression of the disease.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: The study aims to assess various doses of ONO-2808 compared to a placebo, focusing not just on safety but also on how the body processes the drug and its potential effectiveness.
- Robust Design: The trial’s double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design ensures that the results will be as unbiased and reliable as possible. This design is critical for accurately determining the drug’s effectiveness.
Challenges and Concerns:
- Long-Term Commitment: The study spans over 24 weeks of treatment with additional follow-up, requiring a significant time commitment from participants.
- Rigorous Safety Measures: While necessary, the comprehensive monitoring of adverse events, vital signs, and lab results could be daunting for participants. The study’s thoroughness in tracking any potential side effects, however, is crucial for understanding the drug’s safety profile.
- Selective Criteria: The eligibility criteria, including the stage of disease and overall health status, may limit who can participate in the trial. This restriction is understandable for safety and scientific validity but means not all MSA patients can benefit from this trial.
The Promise for MSA Patients:
Despite these challenges, the ONO-2808 trial represents a beacon of hope. The possibility that this drug could improve the quality of life for MSA patients is a powerful motivator. It signifies progress in MSA research and the potential for more treatment options in the future.
My Personal Reflection:
As I navigate my MSA journey, this trial represents more than just a potential new drug; it’s a symbol of the ongoing search for answers in a disease that has so many unknowns. The hope that ONO-2808 brings is invaluable, not just for its potential physical benefits but also for the mental and emotional uplift it provides to patients like me and our families.
Conclusion:
The ONO-2808 trial is an important milestone in the MSA community’s ongoing fight. While the road to a cure or effective treatment is long and filled with uncertainty, every new study like this brings us closer to understanding and managing this complex disease. We watch with hopeful eyes and a collective breath held, eager for positive outcomes that could change the landscape of MSA treatment.
~Coach~
Living Beyond the Diagnosis 
Leave a comment