A new drug hope for MS
July 27, 2012
A NEW class of drug treatment
for the treatment of multiple
sclerosis is about to go into clinical
trials after a decade of investigation
by Ray Norton of the Monash
Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences and his colleagues.
The treatment is derived from a
component of the venom taken
from the tentacles of the Caribbean
sea anemone.
Called ShK, this venom component,
according to Norton’s research, has
been found to block the Kv1.3
potassium channel located in white
blood cells, which produces nerve
damage in MS patients.
Following this discovery, Norton
collaborated with a team of US
scientists to investigate potassium
channels as targets for the
development of novel
immunosuppressive agents.
Together, the researchers were
able to develop a highly selective
immune suppressant derived from
the sea anemone peptide.
According to Professor Norton in
blocking the potassium channels,
ShK prevents the white blood cells
from attacking the nervous system
and causing the paralysis observed
in MS patients.
“This research shows that we may
be able to effectively treat the
disease while protecting the
immune system,” Norton said.
“Continuously blocking these Tcell
channels with ShK should
prevent further nerve damage,
even after the initial onset of
symptoms, including paralysis.
“If the clinical trials are successful,
this could prove an effective
treatment for MS,” he added
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