Multiple sclerosis patients find hope in ‘liquid gold’
The world has over 1.8 million people with multiple sclerosis in the world, according to the World Health Organization in 2023.
The Mayo Clinic says it attacks a person’s nervous system, causing various symptoms like inability to walk, loss of vision, and cognitive problems.
READ: Scientists put gold tattoos on cells
However, South Carolina-based medical firm Clene Nanomedicine unveiled a shimmering ray of hope, an oral medicine made of gold nanocrystals.
More details about the multiple sclerosis medicine
#UTSW trials show gold nanocrystals could reverse brain energy deficits in multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's patients. @UTSWNeurology expert Peter Sguigna, M.D., shares how findings could transform treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. https://t.co/MH2FWlJBV3 #utswresearch pic.twitter.com/ERLb38mqBQ
— UT Southwestern Medical Center (@UTSWMedCenter) February 19, 2024
Clene Nanomedicine researchers created an experimental drug called CNM-Au8. Fox News reports it crosses the blood-brain barrier to help improve cellular energy and restore neurological function.
Dr. Robert C. Sergott, chief of the neuro-ophthalmology service at Wills Eye Hospital, explained MS medications address inflammation.
However, some symptoms remain without inflammation due to a condition called progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA).
“This is a non-inflammatory component of the disease, where patients would worsen in vision and cognitive abilities,” Sergott told Fox News.
“The theory was that if we could give the mitochondria an extra boost, the neurons, axons, and other cells in the central nervous system may work better,” said Sergott.
“In other words, maybe these cells aren’t dead, but they’re hibernating,” he added. Moreover, he stated gold nanoparticles also treat rheumatoid arthritis.
As a result, Sergott and his colleagues developed an ingestable drug with gold nanocrystals. The smaller size allows these particles to pass through the blood-brain barrier and provide more effective results.
Clene Nanomedicine conducted a clinical trial among 78 participants in Australia. After three years, the patients “saw a clinical improvement in the function of their vision and their cognitive ability.”
“This was a very significant result, and gives us a lot of hope that we may be able to help patients who have deficits from MS and have had progression independent of relapse activity — or maybe they had an attack and didn’t get complete recovery from it,” Sergott remarked.
Dr. James Kuo, vice president of R&D at Silo Pharma in New Jersey, also lauded the research:
“If further clinical data supports these initial findings, MS patients could well have a new, well-tolerated oral therapy that is not based upon immune system modulation.”
