Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, chronic, and debilitating disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is the most common neurological disorder among young adults, often between the ages of 20 and 40. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective layer surrounding the nerves. These attacks lead to inflammation and scarring in the brain and spinal cord, which severely disrupts communication with the rest of the body. The diagnosis and the disease itself have a massive impact on patients and their families. MS is an unpredictable disease in which symptoms vary widely, appear suddenly, and do not always go away. It is a progressive disease, in which accumulated damage leads to a gradual and increasing disability. There is still no cure for MS. Current treatments are often non-specific: they suppress the entire immune system, leading to significant side effects, without addressing the underlying cause of the disease. Therefore, more research is urgently needed to find more effective, targeted treatments that can halt the disease and repair myelin damage.
The Solution: Groundbreaking Research at the University of Antwerp
With your support and participation in this fundraising evening, you are directly contributing to the pioneering work of the Laboratory for Experimental Hematology (LEH) at the University of Antwerp, led by Prof. Dr. Nathalie Cools.
LEH is an internationally recognized leader in MS research and the development of innovative cell therapies. Their research focuses on a patient-specific approach. Instead of suppressing the entire immune system, LEH focuses on “reprogramming” specific immune cells produced by the body. This approach could represent a breakthrough in research:
- LEH “trains” these cells to stop the autoimmune attack and restore the immune system, without undermining general immunity.
- This approach opens the door to a new and safer way of treating the disease, moving away from non-specific medication and its associated side effects.
From Laboratory to Clinic (“Bench-to-Bedside”)
Thanks to close collaboration with the UZA (University Hospital Antwerp) and patient organizations, basic research can be translated into clinical practice more quickly. This ensures that our research is patient-focused from the very start, so that results do not remain confined to the lab. This approach has led to the successful completion of an initial safety study involving a cell therapy for MS. A second, larger clinical trial is currently underway in Antwerp and Barcelona to further investigate the effectiveness of this advanced cell therapy. In addition, our researchers are constantly exploring new approaches and refining existing ones.
The goal is simple: to accelerate the development of patient-specific therapies to target MS and ultimately find a cure. Together, we bring hope to those affected by this disease and make a better future possible.