In May (2019), Dr Ron Davis’s team published a pilot study showing remarkable results for their nanoneedle device. Strikingly, there was no overlap between the results for 20 ME/CFS patients and those for 20 healthy controls, something that is almost never seen with this illness.
Popular international science magazine New Scientist has published yet another article covering research into ME/CFS.
This time they looked at findings which may lead to biomarkers for the illness by measuring levels of immune systems substances called cytokines which can affect levels of inflammation in the body. Read more…
The New Scientists reports on preliminary work by Norwegian researchers led by Øystein Fluge of Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen and the possible link with the therapeutic effect of cancer drug Rituximab in other studies.
The event was hosted by IFR and Invest in ME Research, a charity promoting biomedical research and education into ME, which is aiming to establish a UK centre of excellence, to improve ME diagnosis and coordinate research into treatments and cures.
The talks were introduced by Dr Ian Gibson, former MP for Norwich North and from the Invest in ME Research Advisory Board.
Speakers (click to jump to their talks)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disease causing long-term health problems, characterised by severe exhaustion, as well as pain and dysfunction of the brain, gut and immune system. ME/CFS has no effective treatments, and its causes still remain unknown
ME affects an estimated 250,000 in the UK needs high-quality biomedical research and international collaboration.
Dr Øystein Fluge, a senior consultant and oncologist at Haukeland University Hospital in Norway spoke about ground-breaking research he is leading on Rituximab. This drug has been used to treat leukaemia and lymphoma, as it targets B-cells, a type of blood cell. In 2004, Dr Fluge noticed that ME patients being treated for lymphoma with Rituximab also saw substantial improvements in their ME symptoms. Subsequently, pilot studies and a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled study also showed positive results, with a large, multi-site Phase III clinical study now running.
Dr Fluge was visiting Norwich to discuss future collaborations over another Rituximab trial being carried out on the Norwich Research Park with Professor Simon Carding from the Institute of Food Research (IFR) and University of East Anglia. Professor Carding also introduced the audience to research in his own group, who are looking for causes and treatments for ME in the gut and its microbial communities. The Norwich Research Park is establishing itself as a hub for biomedical research into ME, in the UK and Europe and through international collaborations.