East Kent researchers recruit first patient to international treatment trial
A Canterbury PHD student is the first person in Europe recruited to an international trial of a new treatment that could slow the progress of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Jiangwei Liao, who is studying at the University of Kent in the city, is taking part in the clinical trial at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
The 26 year old was diagnosed with MS earlier this year after suffering from double vision.
He said: “It was very sudden, I woke up seeing double. Initially I wasn’t worried but my supervisor was and wanted me to speak to a doctor.
“I then went to a painting class and the teacher was also worried and so I ended up going to the William Harvey Hospital, where tests confirmed it was MS.
“For now it is just affecting my eyes, and they are getting better, but I know it can get worse.”
More than two million people worldwide are affected by MS, a neurological disease with unpredictable symptoms that include vision problems, challenges with cognition, and difficulty with physical activity. It is caused when the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the brain and spinal cord, and the disease can worsen over time.
NHS researchers are working with pharmaceutical company Sanofi to test an experimental medicine to see if it reduces the number of relapses people have, which could ultimately slow the disease progression and delay the damage it causes to someone’s brain.
Jiangwei said: “My consultant mentioned the clinical trial and I was happy to be able to help contribute in finding better treatments.
“Most of my family work in hospitals so I am familiar with medical research, and I read a lot about it before making my final decision.
“This is a phase three trial, so it has already proved effective in smaller studies, and I was able to feel confident it was safe.
“My parents were initially worried about their son taking part in something so new but they understand why it is important.”
Jiangwei, who is studying communications engineering, has treatments each month in the medical day unit at the hospital, supervised by the research team who note any side effects. It will continue for three years and he will be closely monitored to see how his MS progresses.
He said: “The team said I was the first patient but I thought they meant the first in the hospital, not the first in Europe.
“It is exciting, and I hope lots of other people sign up so the doctors can see whether the treatment works.
“MS is much rarer in China, and my cousin had to wait many years and visit a lot of different hospitals before she was diagnosed, so I feel very lucky to be in the UK and part of this trial.”
East Kent Hospitals neurology consultant Dr Sreedharan Harikrishnan is the lead researcher for the UK, and K&C is the lead research site.
Dr Harikrishnan said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our patients and could lead to a ground-breaking development in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
“We hope to continue to recruit many more patients into this very important study.”