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J. Edwin Blalock, Ph.D. Professor Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
VACCINE PROMISES HOPE FOR A CURE FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (MG) AND VARIOUS AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Garden State Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc. Granted $100,000 to Support Vaccine Trials
WAYNE, NJ (January, 2003) – The Garden State Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc granted $100,000 to support clinical trials for a vaccine that may lead to a cure for Myasthenia Gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease that causes severe muscle weakness. This vaccine could lead to similar vaccines for other autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, certain forms of Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and diseases of the nervous systems. Dr. J. Edwin Blalock, a professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, spent 10 years developing the vaccine for MG in an effort to cure autoimmune diseases. Traditionally, vaccines have been developed to prevent diseases by boosting the immune system’s responses against infections. Blalock’s vaccine, however, boosts the immune system’s response against its own actions. In Myasthenia Gravis, this vaccine is an immunization that causes the body to make a second antibody to attack the antibodies that cause MG. At this time, this vaccine has prevented and cured Myasthenia Gravis in laboratory rats and pet dogs and is currently being developed for human trials. “Based on our favorable results in animal models of MG, we are optimistic that the vaccine may have benefit for humans with this autoimmune disease,” said Dr. J. Edwin Blalock. “Our positive research findings have lead us to the opportunity to test the vaccine and perform clinical trials in Myasthenic patients. Due to the generous contribution from the Garden State Chapter, we will be able to move forward to this important stage.” “Our Chapter is proud to fund a worthy research project such as Dr. Blalock’s vaccine,” said Kelley Haughey, Executive Director of the Garden State Chapter and a Myasthenic. “As a Myasthenic, I’ve experienced first hand the cruel nature of Myasthenia Gravis and due to Dr. Blalock’s research, I finally see a better future for all those who suffer from this perplexing disease and others like it.” MG is characterized by abnormal weakness of voluntary muscles and increases with activity and decreases with times of rest. Symptoms include but are not limited to, difficulty in breathing, moving, chewing, swallowing, speaking and seeing. The symptoms of MG frequently create such a diagnostic dilemma, that physicians unfamiliar with the disorder may not recognize the characteristics to make an appropriate diagnosis. For this reason, it is probable that the prevalence rate is actually higher than the current estimated 70,000 people. Myasthenia Gravis can strike anyone at any age and does not discriminate against creed, ethnic background or gender. There is no known cure for MG at this time, yet it can be controlled with the proper treatment. Is left untreated, however, MG can be fatal. To receive additional information, please contact the Garden State Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc. at 973/628-6034. The Garden State Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that began in 1972 at Englewood Hospital as the Northern New Jersey Chapter. In the early 70’s, a small but dedicated group of volunteers served less than forty Myasthenic’s living in seven northern counties of New Jersey. In 1980, the Chapter was assigned the responsibility for the entire State of New Jersey. In 1998, the Garden State Chapter funded an Osserman Grant to Dr. Brian J. Hare at Harvard Medical School to aid in the cure for Myasthenia Gravis (MG). In 2002, the Chapter awarded funds to support clinical trials for a vaccine developed by Dr. J. Edwin Blalock that may lead to a cure for MG. Today, the Garden State Chapter serves over 1,500 patients throughout the State through patient services, public and professional education and research for improved treatment, prevention and cure. The Garden State Chapter initiated the first annual Walk-A-Thon and Sit-A-Thon fundraising events that focus on Myasthenia Gravis.
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