In a pioneering effort to address the limited treatment options for Australians grappling with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a groundbreaking adaptive clinical trial named PLATYPUS (PLatform Adaptive Trial for remYelination and neuroProtection in mUltiple Sclerosis) is set to commence in January 2024. The initiative, boasting an initial funding of $4 million, marks the first-ever adaptive clinical trial for MS patients in Australia and aims to reverse neurological damage caused by progressive forms of the debilitating condition
Groundbreaking Adaptive Clinical Trial Aims to Reverse Neurological Damage in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients”
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Progressive MS is characterized by a continuous worsening of symptoms and disability without recovery periods, posing significant challenges to those affected. With extremely limited treatment options currently available, PLATYPUS emerges as a ray of hope for the MS community in Australia.
The multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) adaptive design of PLATYPUS allows researchers to investigate the potential benefits of two repurposed drugs simultaneously. This innovative approach not only accelerates the trial process but also provides more timely results, fostering the prospect of finding effective treatments for progressive MS.
MSWA, the leading funder of the trial, has contributed a substantial $3 million to PLATYPUS. Melanie Kiely, CEO of MSWA, expresses pride in supporting this ambitious research project, emphasizing its transformative potential. Kiely states, “PLATYPUS has the potential to deliver a significant breakthrough, as we aim to provide real-life outcomes which positively impact the lives of people living with progressive MS – which is always our focus.”
The trial is an extension of the OCTOPUS (Optimal Clinical Trials Platform for Multiple Sclerosis) clinical trial, funded by the UK MS Society and launched in April 2023. Collaborating with OCTOPUS partners in the UK, PLATYPUS will test the drugs metformin and alpha-lipoic acid, both showing promise in promoting neuroprotection and/or myelin repair in MS. These repurposed drugs, typically used for type 2 diabetes and as a health food supplement, respectively, will be investigated for their potential to reverse neurological damage.
Neurology Professor Simon Broadley, Chief Investigator of PLATYPUS from Griffith University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, underscores the critical role of funding in enabling the testing of multiple therapies simultaneously. He notes that the adaptive design of the trial will bring results much faster than traditional clinical trial methods.
PLATYPUS will be rolled out across Australia through a collaboration of 20 academic and healthcare institutions, aiming to recruit more than 250 participants. The trial’s unique design, involving less time and fewer participants, is expected to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the drugs, offering hope for a faster path to potential treatments for progressive MS.
The PLATYPUS team comprises leading neurologists, neuroscientists, statisticians, health economists, and individuals with progressive MS. Nigel Caswell, diagnosed with MS in 1993 and MS Australia’s John Studdy Award winner in 2022, expresses excitement, stating, “The launch of PLATYPUS today provides extraordinary hope for many people living with MS and is a major moment for MS research.”
As PLATYPUS unfolds, it represents a significant stride toward addressing the unmet needs of those living with progressive MS, offering new hope and the promise of improved care for individuals not only in Australia but potentially beyond.
