Neurology & Neurosurgery (see more articles like this)

This holiday season, multiple sclerosis patient Sue Gentzke is looking forward to playing outside with her grandson and pushing him on his bike. Thanks to newly approved FDA drug Tysabri®, Gentzke is learning that even though she has MS, she can still lead a normal life. “I feel wonderful. I can’t explain how good it is to not have to worry about my MS anymore. I am no longer afraid,” said Gentzke.

Gentzke, 47, who has lived with MS for 10 years, says, “Since I’ve been taking this medication, I have had no attacks and my condition has not gotten any worse. I am so thankful for Tysabri.”

Tysabri, which is administered via IV infusion, is used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Because of positive data from clinical trials, the FDA approved Tysabri (formerly called Antegren®) after only one year of study. Usually, two years of trials are required before approving a new drug. Trial results indicated a 66 percent reduction in the relapse rate of MS symptoms in patients who were studied.

Medical experts believe that Tysabri helps prevent relapses by attaching itself to immune-system cells and preventing them from moving into the brain. If the immune cells are not stopped, they can attack the cells of the brain and spinal cord, causing signs and symptoms of MS.

“Studies show that Tysabri might be more effective than any other MS drug currently being used,” says Dr. David Honeycutt, Florida Hospital Neuroscience Institute Neurologist (who participated in the trials for this drug). “This medication is not a cure, but when used in combination with other existing treatments, it’s one step closer than we’ve ever been when used in.”