Phase 2 Clinical Trial - Exenatide

[Janeyl]

I understand this trial is currently recruiting. From the UCL website:

Exenatide as potential treatment to slow Multiple system Atrophy (MSA) disease progression

Who: People with Multiple system Atrophy (MSA), or suspected MSA, less than 5 years from diagnosis, who are able to walk at least 10 meters (with or without assistance). People with diabetes cannot take part in this trial.

Why: Exenatide is a licensed drug for the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to protect nerve cells in laboratory tests and animal models, and two earlier small clinical trials indicated it could potentially slow disease progression in people with a related condition (Parkinson's Disease). This trial aims to see if Exenatide could slow disease progression in people diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

What: Trial participants will be randomly allocated to either add exenatide to their regular medication or to continue their regular medication alone. Participants will be taught to inject themselves with exenatide once a week for up to one year. Participants will undergo clinical assessments at the beginning of the trial and then repeatedly every 3 months, to assess their condition and the progression of MSA symptoms.

More information: Exenatide-MSA trial page at clinicalTrial.gov.

Contact: Dr. Nirosen Vijiaratnam ([e-mail]).

[Andrashko]

My husband is in a double blind study for a medication that is supposedly to slow the progression of MSA-C. He has a neurologist in Denver, Colorado. When he first started the study, he was able to walk without assistance, wobbly, but could walk. As the study progressed, he moved to a cane, and now cannot walk with out assistance from his 4 wheel walker. Although we understand it is a double blind study, and he is possibly on the placebo and not the drug, it is so upsetting to know if he's not getting the drug, he could of been and his symptoms may have been slowed. They have told him once the study is over, he will be allowed to get the 'drug'. But he has to have been in the study a full year, which will be April of 2020. Then told it would be June before they would offer him the actual drug. I'm sorry I can't find the name of the drug, but It is with Dr. Rajeev Kumar, MD out of Lakewood Colorado. movementdisorderscenter.org... Wondering if this is the same drug?

[Janeyl in reply to Andrashko]

I doubt it - Exenatide is already a licensed therapy for diabetes.