A to Z of MS Goat serum

Product name

Aimspro

Aimspro is the brand name of an experimental product derived from the serum of goats that have been inoculated with a number of vaccines so as to develop antibodies to a range of diseases. Serum is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells, clotting agents and other cells are suspended.

Aimspro was initially developed as a treatment for HIV/AIDS. Researchers thought the strong anti-inflammatory properties could be beneficial in multiple sclerosis.

Research

There is currently no peer reviewed published evidence of efficacy or long-term safety for this treatment.

Aimspro was initially given to people with MS by a GP in Kent as an experimental treatment. Data gained from these patients suggested a significant clinical improvement and this information was used to help obtain approval for two double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trials in the UK.

One trial, at St George's Hospital in London, involved 40 people with secondary progressive MS who were able to walk, but who had seen a significant decline over the past year. This trial was halted at the manufacturer's request in March 2005 following a dispute with the hospital about storage of the drug.

Another trial, at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, recruited 12 people who had some continuing loss of vision following earlier optic neuritis. Participants were on active treatment for two weeks. Researchers found that the two main outcome measures of the trial, looking at the effect on vision, were negative. A third outcome measure, the effect on visual field size, showed transient improvement in people on Aimspro, although this was not significantly different from that seen in people taking a placebo. The drug was well tolerated and no serious side effects were observed during the trial.

In June 2011, Daval International, the manufacturer, announced the completion of the a 16 week randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind study of the effect of Aimspro on bladder function in people with secondary progressive MS. Results have not yet been published.

References

Burke G, et al.
071 The evaluation of a novel 'goat serum' therapy (Aimspro) in multiple sclerosis.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2005;76:1313-1326
Conference abstract (this study is the last item in the article)

Daval International news item - 6 June 2011

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