Article: Biology teacher becomes first UK patient to receive ‘gamechanger’ therapy for MS

[Sly Saint]

A biology teacher has become the first patient in the UK to receive a “gamechanger” therapy to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

The CAR T-cell treatment, which experts believe could “transform” lives by halting or slowing down progression of the disease, is custom-built for each patient in the lab.
The person’s own T cells, which are crucial for hunting out infected or damaged cells, are genetically engineered by scientists and fed back into the patient via an infusion to “re-set” the immune system.

CAR T for MS modifies the T cells to recognise and kill B cells, which are known to cause damage and allow MS to advance.

Emily Henders, 37, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, received her CAR T last week at University College London Hospital (UCLH) as part of a global clinical trial into whether it can treat MS.

The mother-of-two, who has sons aged six and four and is married to Brandon, told the PA news agency she was feeling well after receiving the infusion in a three-minute procedure.

“I’m actually feeling really good,” she said. “I’m feeling normal and I’ve got energy back.

“I don’t have any nausea, I’ve had no fevers. I’m feeling pretty relaxed.”

Since being told she has MS, Mrs Henders has suffered four debilitating relapses, despite taking one of the most highly effective medications for the disease.

“Physically, my symptoms have progressively got worse,” she said.

“I notice sometimes my foot hits the pavement in a funny way. No-one else would notice it, but I feel it.

“Or when I’m teaching and I’m doing a science experiment, I can feel my hands are shaking, and I’m very much aware that probably the students can see that my hands are shaking.

“When I’m having a relapse, not being able to move my legs means I can’t get around the house, I can’t help with the kids, I can’t drive, and then that puts an impact on everybody around me as well.”

MSN

Biology teacher becomes first UK patient to receive ‘gamechanger’ therapy for MS

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord

www.independent.co.uk