Immune system defect may cause ME
By James Gallagher
Health reporter, BBC News
Chronic fatigue syndrome may be due to the immune system, researchers think=
.
Researchers in Norway believe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also
known as ME, may be caused by a wayward immune system attacking the
body.
The illness, the cause of which is uncertain and has no known cure,
has attracted significant controversy.
A small study, reported in PLoS One, showed a cancer drug, which
inhibited the immune system, relieved symptoms in some patients.
The ME Association said the findings were "very encouraging news".
Doctors in Norway stumbled across their first clue in 2004 when
treating a patient with both Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the white
blood cells, and CFS.
When she received cancer treatment, her fatigue symptoms improved for
five months.
'Dramatic'
The latest study, carried out at the Haukeland University Hospital in
Bergen, built on the previous discovery by testing 30 patients with
CFS.
Half were given two doses of Rituximab, a cancer drug which eliminates
a type of white blood cell, while the other half were given a fake
treatment.
In those patients receiving the drug, 67% reported an improvement in a
score of their fatigue levels. Just 13% showed any improvement in the
sham group.
=D8ystein Fluge, an oncology consultant at the hospital, told the BBC:
"There was a varied response: none, moderate, dramatic relief of all
symptoms.
"Two had no recurrence [of their symptoms], their life was turned
completely around very dramatically."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15401746
Their theory is that a type of white blood cell, B lymphocytes, are
producing an antibody which attacks the body.
The drug wipes out the lymphocytes which in some cases may "reset the
immune system", however, in other patients the fatigue symptoms would
return when more B lymphocytes were made.
Mr Fluge said: "I think the fact that patients responded to treatment,
improved cognitive function, fatigue and pain makes us believe we're
touching one of the central mechanisms.
"But we're scratching at the surface, I would not characterise this as
a major breakthrough."
The researchers are now investigating the effect of giving more doses
over a longer period of time.
If their hunch is right it will throw up more questions, such as what
is the immune system actually attacking and whether or not an actual
test for CFS/ME be developed.
Dr Charles Shepherd, the UK ME Association's medical adviser, said:
"The results of this clinical trial are very encouraging news for
people with ME.
"Firstly, they help to confirm that there is a significant abnormality
in immune system function in this disease.
"Secondly, they indicate that altering the immune system response in
ME could be an effective form of treatment for at least a subset of
patients.
"We now need further clinical trials of such anti-cancer agents to see
if other research groups can replicate these findings."
The disease is thought to affect some 250,000 people in the UK
Symptoms include extreme tiredness, problems with memory and
concentration, sleep disturbances and mood swings
There is currently no accepted cure and no universally effective treatment
The cause is not clear either, with many doctors thinking the term
CFS/ME is being used for several different diseases.
Some patients have sent death threats to researchers after
disagreements over a cause or cure
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15401746
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