Dr. Stanley Appel, neurologist and co-director of the Houston Methodist Hospital Neurology Institute, has been leading the ALS Clinic at Houston Methodist Hospital since its founding in 1982. This was the first multi-disciplinary clinic dedicated to the treatment of and research on ALS. More than 35 years later, he continues to innovate in the field.
His latest research? An immunotherapy treatment that could stop the progression of ALS in its tracks.
After years of research and studies related to the immune system, Dr. Appel and his team discovered a key component accelerating ALS progression- regulatory T cells. Also known as Tregs, regulatory T cells are immune cells that help protect the body from harmful inflammation that accelerates the progression of ALS.
“We found that many of our ALS patients not only had low levels of Tregs, but also that their Tregs were not functioning properly,” said Appel. “We believed that improving the number and function of Tregs in these patients would affect how their disease progressed.”
The research team discovered that after removing blood from patients, the Tregs returned to normal once outside the body. The phase 1 study included three patients who underwent a process called leukapheresis, a procedure in which blood is removed, and white blood cells are separated from red blood cells to increase the number of each patient’s own Tregs before administering the red blood cells intravenously back into the patients.
The phase 1 study, funded in part by the ALS Association, has shown to stop the progression of ALS in patients, a tremendous feat for a disease with only a few treatments available to slow progression. Phase 2 trials will further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, and, hopefully, turn this research into an off-the-shelf cellular therapy for ALS patients.
“Our goal is to give a patient hope for the future. We may not cure a patient’s disease, but we can make a difference.” – Dr. Stanley Appel
Why can’t we try a treatment that is of our own body cells? We’re going to die a horrible death anyway. We don’t care. We would try that in a heartbeat.
I have left my email address. I would like to participate in trials and or have access to treatment. My ALS symptoms began between 3-4 yrs ago. Waiting for FDA approval of this treatment that is just starting phase 2 trials would be too late for me. How might I have access now regardless of side effects ? I would rather die trying something than sitting back waiting for the inevitable.
Amen brother. Prayers for you, and prayers to open the minds and hearts of the FDA to allow anyone and everyone access to treatments, that while experimental, could be life altering/saving.
I would love to participate..I start clinical trials next month in L.A.
I rather do this
go to clinicaltrials.org you can look it up there. It should have contact information
I pray they would allow you to try this. ❤️🙏🏻
When will this be available?
A speedier system needs to be developed for these TRIALS. With all due respect, not curing a patient’s disease but making a difference means little to affected patients.
That is great news! My daughter has PLS diagnosed Sept. of 2018. Her Dr. is Dr.Appel! She loves him & says he is easy to talk to. I always read medical news about many subjects & just don’t get enough cuz it’s so interesting!
Where is your daughter’s Doctor located.
My husband has PLS at least they think it’s
PLS. There is no test or treatment We have gone to Mayo, USF and University of Michigan.
He is at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston Texas.
My daughters doctor is in Houston Texas. She lives in southern Louisiana. Dr. Stanley Appel is her neurologist! She saw a neurologist in Lafayette Louisiana and he diagnosed her with PLS!He sent her to Houston
I pray to God that this is the cure! I lost my precious daughter to ALS February 12, 2016. She was diagnosed at age 22 and lived 10 years after her diagnosis.
My daughter is 28 and has a 2 year old
The sooner the better.and sorry for the loss of your daughter this
is so hard to watch
My daughters started having symptoms at age 38. She is going to be 40 on August 1 and in one year I can see how she’s gotten a little bit worse. It’s now on the other side of her body so it’s not PLS anymore! So sorry for your daughters lost so young. I hope this is the answer for many people!
How do I teach this dr?
Reach
Publicly funded research will turn this into a huge money making scheme for some drug company. Probably crushing the healthcare they have even though this process isn’t that expensive and has been around for years.
Not so. No drug company is involved with this treatment. Each patient is using their own T-Reg cells that have been removed, allowed to multiply in a strict laboratory environment and put back into that specific person.
Please tell me how I can be part o this study whatever it takes. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
So excited to hear this! My mother died from ALS in 2016. It’s a horrible disease. If it can be stopped in it’s tracks, that’s fantastic! I would love to hear more as updates are available.
How well known is this potential breakthrough? I go to the University of Minnesota for my clinic visits and nothing has been mentioned.
How would one see if they were a candidate for the Phase 2 trials? My husband has ALS which was diagnosed in March 2018. Onset was probably mid-2015 based on when fasiculations first started. He is primarily affected in his upper limbs and with dysphasia. He has done no treatments to date.
Updates regularly please! We don’t have a lot of time.
can I get on it now?
I have ALS live dfw area can I participate in the research
I was recently diagnosed with als. I would be interested in particpating in this study.
I was recently diagnosed with als and would be interested in research.
I’ve just been diagnosed with this a year ago. I’ve recently started getting worse so I’d really like to be informed on any progress on treatments. I’m just not ready to die. I am 71 years old and would like to spend a little more quality time with my family.
God bless you! I really hope this is a cure to me this will help so many patients. There are so many patients with this I never realized how many patients there were until my daughter was diagnosed With PLS.
Enlarge your sample size from 3 to 225 and get published in a peer review journal.
Day late and a dollar short for my friend’s husband who passed last year. The VA did so little to keep this man alive he could have used this treatment and stayed alive for his family. They were still raising children. The wife is sick and alone now. So sad.
Very interested in learning more.
Omg! I pray this is true! I lost my husband to ALS, December 29, 2018. I miss him every day!
Please forward the citation of the phase 1 RCT
Thanks
Dr Glass
Amen! Thank you
I have relatives who have been sick with this disease
My mom has ALS I’m wondering why u have to wait 4 weeks for a loaner manual wheelchair I need help I’m her caregiver
This is great news. I hope they stop this horrid disease.
Keep up the good work!
What is the best time frame before this treatment becomes available for all ALS patients?
How does a person with ALS get to take part in the clinical trial?
Suh-weet!
I have had ALS for a year and thought about stem cell treatment but this seems very promising!! I could be a part of your next trial!!
My husband was recently diagnosed with ALS and is interested in being part of this research. Is Phase 2 enrolling or is he too late for the study. Please advise.
Thank you,
I really hope that you’re successful with this therapy. I think ALS is the scariest thing out there. God bless you.
Sincerely,
Scott Mueller
This is great I just lost my sister to als. She was going to the Mayo Clinic . In the 90s my mother was in your clinic with als . I hope you can continue to make progress
Oh my gosh – I am over the moon excited about this since my dear husband has ALS!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY, I see monies from the ALS Association making a difference at the patient level!!!!!!!!!!! NOW, everyone with ALS MUST have access to this treatment and FAST!!!!!! I will call my husband’s neurologists todays at his ALS Clinic and see if he can have this done!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless you Dr. Appel !!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds promising! How can we learn more and is phase 2 open for enrollment? My husband has this horrible disease and was excited when I shared this information with him.
The @StanleyStampede would be interested in this trial for Angela
Since this has already passed Phase 1 trials..
And it’s a treatment already in fairly common use…
It looks like it may be an option for folks in “Right to try” states.
Has anyone explored this?
What an amazing discovery if it pans out!
It
Please inform how to stay on top of this trial/test. I’m in TX, diagnosed 2 months ago. Thanks
jblair@korjil.com
My son Craig Preuit begins with Dr. Stanley Arpel this July, and he is what our whole family prays will give him some number of quality days to be with us!!!😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇
Spoke with Dr. Apple years ago when my mother had ALS. Great news….prayers continue
A quel endroit votre clinique? Est-ce possible d’un rendez-vous? Est-ce possible de recevoir ce traitement?
Where is your clinic?
Is it possible to have an appointment?
Is it possible to receive this treatment?