Monday, March 5, 2012

NOT: MRC ring-fenced ME/CFS funds being spent on Rituximab for Sjogren's syndrome patients?

In the most recent APPG minutes Prof. Sir John Savill, CEO of the
Medical Research Council, stated that in regards to the MRC=92s recent
=A31.6m funding initiative for biomedical research into M.E., "One of
the studies plans to use an existing cohort of patients to get a
molecular handle on a finger print of fatigue. Within that study is a
small group of patients who are being trialled with Rituximab, so this
study seeks to compare and contrast symptoms with a known study."*

According to the recent study announcements, the 'molecular
fingerprint of fatigue' study is the one that is set to include
patients with Sjogren's syndrome. I have made further inquiries as to
whether the small trial of Rituximab was to include ME/CFS patients
and was told it would not, despite ME/CFS patients taking part in the
larger study. So apparently the MRC is planning on using ring-fenced
monies specifically earmarked for research into ME/CFS and spending it
on a trial on Rituximab in Sjogren's syndrome patients. Seeing as how
the recent Rituximab findings have the potential to be one of the
biggest breakthroughs in the history of ME/CFS research, would it not
be appropriate to include ME/CFS patients in this trial as well?

*http://www.actionforme.org.uk/Resources/Action%20for%20ME/Documents/get-in=
volved/appg/CHAIR%20APPROVED%20APPG%20ME%20Minutes%2024%2001%2012%20.pdf

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