Pregnancy helps find a cure

Do you know someone who has Multiple Sclerosis or Arthritis?

Researchers from a Brisbane company called CBio are working on a new way to treat Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. These diseases occur when the body’s defense system turns on itself. In Multiple Sclerosis the brain and spinal cord are attacked and can cause tingling, numbness, paralysis and blindness. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease where joints and other organs of the body are struck by pain, heat and swelling.

How will it work?

A protein called the Early Pregnancy Factor (EFP) may be able to help treat these diseases. This protein is naturally created very early in a pregnancy and has the role of protecting the baby from the mother’s immune system. Studies have found that often when women with Multiple Sclerosis or Arthritis are pregnant, they do not have the symptoms of the disease as badly. Therefore, it is hoped that using the EFP protein to treat people with Multiple Sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis will ease the symptoms.

So What Happens Now?

Research has been done to allow the Early Pregnancy Factor protein to be made for clinical trials in humans. The first tests of EFP on humans are expected to begin in 2003. It is hoped that there will also be other ways this protein can be used such as helping wounds to heal faster.