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Genentech, Biogen say cancer drug helps against MS:
"Biotechnology companies Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc. on Monday said their cancer drug Rituxan showed hints of effectiveness against MS in a small mid-stage trial. "These initial results exceeded our expectations," Hal Barron, Genentech's chief medical officer, said in a statement.

The study involved 104 adults in the United States and Canada with the most common form of multiple sclerosis, in which flare-ups of symptoms are followed by full or partial recovery between attacks. They were given either a single treatment course of Rituxan, or a placebo.

It showed a statistically significant reduction among those given Rituxan in the total number of brain lesions seen on MRI scans at weeks 12, 16, 20 and 24, compared with those receiving placebo.

Rituxan, an antibody which is one of the biggest-selling treatments against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, works by blocking immune-system B cells.

"Showing a significant benefit at 24 weeks in this small Phase II trial supports our hypothesis that selective B-cell targeted therapy may play an important role in the treatment of MS."

Rates of side effects were comparable in those taking Rituxan and those taking placebos, the companies said...."