What the trial was testing
The NN102/SPRINT-MS enrolled 255 patients with multiple sclerosis. The study was sponsored by MediciNova and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Ibudilast cut the rate of brain tissue loss roughly in half over two years.
The New England journal of medicine · 2018 · NCT01982942
These findings — that patients lost about half as much brain tissue over two years vs. placebo — were published in the The New England journal of medicine and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 255 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with multiple sclerosis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This treatment slowed a key sign of MS getting worse — brain tissue loss. That said, this was a mid-stage study and ibudilast is not yet FDA-approved for MS. Side effects included nausea, headaches, and depression. Talk to your neurologist about whether this or similar treatments might be right for you.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open multiple sclerosis trials
Motor Imagery and Action Observation for Gait Function in MS
This study will investigate whether mentally simulating walking movements while watching others walk can improve walking performance in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will watch walking videos and imagine themselves walking, while the other group will watch nature scenes. The study will measure muscle activity and walking patterns to assess the effects. The results may help support the use of mental practice techniques to improve mobility in people with MS.
Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
This study is to identify the safety and efficacy of repeat IV(Intravenous) and IT(Intrathecal) administrations of UMSC01 in patients with MS. While anti-inflammatory drugs are routinely used for the treatment of MS by inhibiting immune responses, their effects on axon remyelination or neuroregeneration are limited. The combined systemic delivery of UCMSCs via intravenous injection and local administration of the cells by IT was to have safety and therapeutic efficacy for patients with MS.