Uc Science Today

There may soon be a new way to treat multiple sclerosis, a debilitating autoimmune disease. Neurologist Bruce Cree of the University of California, San Francisco has been testing an experimental medication called ocrelizumab, which suppresses the immune system’s B-cells, which are a class of white blood cells. "And we think that B cells potentially play a very important role in multiple sclerosis.” Most existing MS drugs target T-cells and there are more side effects. “Because when you just target B cells without affecting T-cells, you have less of a potential for adverse events due to broad spectrum immune suppression. I think that’s the key distinction. I think the big advantage for B cell directed therapy in multiple sclerosis is going to be the ability to have highly effective treatment with a better tolerated and improved side effect profile for our patients." PHOTOGRAPH: Hugo Paice