Tovaxin
An Autologous Vaccine
Tovaxin anti-T-cell therapeutic vaccine
Opexa Therapeutics of Houston, Texas have developed a novel vaccine for Multiple Sclerosis targeting the myelin sensitive T-cells. This is an autologous vaccine, meaning the T-cells used to create the vaccine are taken from a blood sample donated by the patient.
A blood sample is drawn from the patient in the clinic and the T-cells are separated out before an attenuation process renders the cells non-replicating but viable. When injected subcutaneously, they elicit an immune response directed against the new T-cells. The attenuation process involves irradiating the cells to, effectively, neuter them.
The immune system treats these new T-cells as foreign bodies, but it also now targets all T-cells of this particular T-cell subset, ie all of the myelin attacking T-cells.
The myelin sensitive T-cells only account for around 1 or 2 per million of the T-cells found in our blood stream. If these are eliminated, the myelin has a chance of regenerating. Provided the underlying nerve fibres are not irreparably damaged, the patient can recover neurological function.
This treatment is still undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials. I have no indication of future availability or costs at this time.
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DISCLAIMER: The content of this site does not represent a qualified medical opinion. It is simply the information amassed by an MS patient while trying to understand this condition. You should seek the advice of your medical practitioner or neurologist before trying any treatment you may read about on this site. I am not a doctor, I am a patient.
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