Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow has spoken of his hope after scientists revealed news of a potentially massive breakthrough for motor neurone disease patients. The eight-time Super League Grand Final winner was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and has fought bravely ever since, with many of his ex-team-mates rallying round to support him.
This week it was revealed that a “promising” new drug has been shown to slow down or even reverse the impact of MND in what could be a significant turning point for patients, scientists say. Findings of a new study into tofersen showed that some participants reported better mobility and lung function after a year of treatment.
Dame Pamela Shaw, a professor of neurology at the University of Sheffield who led the UK part of the international study, says the trial is like nothing she's come across before. Having taken part in 25 clinical MND trials, she says this was the first in which patients have reported an improvement in their motor functions.
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“Never before have I heard patients say, ‘I am doing things today that I couldn’t do a few months ago – walking in the house without my sticks, walking up the garden steps, writing Christmas cards’," she said. “For me this is an important treatment milestone.”
Burrow told ITV News: “I am really pleased to know that there is a treatment which is having an effect on the disease. I'm really happy with the story today and today is the start.”
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