CJD trials two years late and still waiting

Main Category: CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease
Article Date: 04 Mar 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Two years ago the Department of Health (UK) promised there would be immediate (fast-track) trials to treat vCJD, the human form of BSE (mad cow disease).

Two years ago American doctors said that a malaria drug might be effective against vCJD.

The delay seems to be caused by two groups of scientists who do not seem to get on, according to an article in the Times Higher Education Supplement (UK).

A few years ago, Rachel Forber, aged 21 had vCJD. She was from Liverpool, UK. She was bed-ridden and needed round-the-clock care. In fact, she was unable to recognise her loved ones. She could not tolerate sunlight or noise. She was unable to feed herself or even get dressed on her own.

Within three months of taking Quinacrine she was able to get out of bed. She could walk on her own, she was able to swim without any help.

Unfortunately, she suffered complications with her liver. She was taken off the drug. Rachel died in 2001.

According to Sir Iain Chalmers, Director of the Cochrane Centre, UK, scientists at the Medical Research Unit Prion Unit at the Institute of Neurology, London and the CJD Surveillance Unit, Edinburgh could not agree on how to run the trials.

Sir Iain Chalmers was appointed Chairman of the committee whose job it was to oversee the trials of Quinacrine. Sir Iain Chalmers resigned recently. He says he has done all he can to push the trials forward.

In the Times Higher Education Supplement he says 'Only after I accepted the position was I introduced to the longstanding, bitter relationship between the researchers. This is a problem going back many years. I am very disappointed that this feud continues. Unless the public starts to get angry about this, I can't see their interests being served as they should be.'

According to the Medical Research Council, progress is now being made. Let's hope they can sort this out. So far, the reasons and lack or progress looks pathetic.

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