Radiation Tried in MS Cases

An experimental radiation treatment nearly stopped the progression of multiple sclerosis in some patients for up to four years, longer than any other therapy yet tried, a study says.

While radiation is probably not the ultimate answer to multiple sclerosis, researcher Stuart Cook said, “right now, if I had chronic progressive MS, I would be very interested in taking part in a trial that was using this.”

Cook’s study is described in the journal Neurology.

Radiation is designed to deplete the number of white blood cells that carry out the immune system’s attack. Researchers focused radiation on the spleen and lymph glands in the neck, under the armpits, in the chest and abdomen and above the groin.

Twenty-seven patients received radiation, and 21 others received sham treatments, so experimenters could account for any psychological factors. The radiation treatments lasted about five weeks.

When compared at six-month intervals, 20% to 30% fewer of the radiation-treated patients than the sham-treatment patients showed deterioration.