Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trials in Philadelphia, PA

This is a multi-center prospective rater-masked (blinded) randomized controlled trial of 156 participants, comparing the treatment strategy of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AHSCT) to the treatment strategy of Best Available Therapy (BAT) for treatment-resistant relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will be randomized at a 1 to 1 (1:1) ratio. All participants will be followed for 72 months after randomization (Day 0, Visit 0). Read Less

Obesity is one possible contributor to severity of multiple sclerosis and progression of the disease. We already know that obesity is a risk determinant for acquiring MS, yet the impact of obesity on pediatric MS disease expression and course is unknown. This study will evaluate the relationship between obesity, obesity-derived inflammatory mediators, and imaging metrics of MS severity in children. Understanding how childhood obesity contributes to MS severity/progression may yield fundamental insights into disease pathobiology - which may thereby lead to effective strategies for halting its progression in its earliest stages. Read Less

Microparticles (MPs) as a mode of therapeutic delivery can selectively deliver immunomodulatory treatment to the phagocytic cells, particularly dendritic cells (DCs), inducing their tolerogenic phenotype and function and T regulatory (Treg) cell expansion. The study will characterize the in vitro response of cGAMP immunomodulator incapsulated microparticles on the capacity of DCs and Tregs to regulate the inflammatory response. Read Less

The purpose of this research is to find out how the T regulatory (Treg) cells control autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis. The investigators will identify Treg molecular markers and changes in function in patients with relapse remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The investigators plan to study T regulatory immune cells in the blood of RRMS patients and control subjects to examine how Treg immune cells' deficient function may be involved in the development of mulitple sclerosis. Read Less

Since the last submission, the investigator have further characterized the potential of IL--11 to induce encephalitogenic CD4+IL--17A+, IL--21+ and GM--CSF+ cells, which upon passive transfer induced severe RREAE with IL--17A+CCR6+ CD4+ cell, neutrophil, CD8+ and B--cell accumulation within the CNS (manuscript submitted for publication). These findings confirmed our hypothesis and further characterization of the IL--11--induced encephalitogenic CD4+ cells will be performed as planned in the grant proposal Read Less

The investigators have previously shown that youth with MS are very inactive, and that vigorous physical activity is associated with higher levels of well-being and lower MS disease activity in youth. Yet, no effective physical activity interventions have been developed for youth with MS to date. The investigators have taken input from youth with MS to create a Smartphone-based app (the ATOMIC - Active Teens with Multiple Sclerosis - App) that provides tailored physical activity information and coaching, provides tools to increase social connectedness, and promotes physical activity. This proposed research will therefore address the problem of inactivity in youth with MS by studying an intervention to increase physical activity. Read Less