Until now there was much controversy over the origin of this disease is still unknown, after some studies have linked to the presence of a virus, which also slowed the development of possible treatments. However, the authors of this study have found that a drug currently used for cancer does inhibit the function of the immune system and relieve symptoms of this disorder, what they consider "a very encouraging news . "
The first key to this discovery dates back to 2004, when they were treating a patient suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer of white blood cells, and chronic fatigue syndrome. When the woman was treated for cancer, called rituximab, the symptoms of chronic fatigue improved over five months.
Rituximab
This led them to a new study based on the monitoring of this previous finding, and involved 30 patients with this disorder. Half received two doses of rituximab, designed to eliminate a type of white cell, and the other half received a placebo treatment. As the researchers report, among patients who received the drug, 67% reported an improvement in their fatigue levels. In the placebo group, however, only 13% showed some improvement. "There was a mixed response: no relief, moderate or drastic of all symptoms," the BBC said Oystein Flug, an oncologist who led the study. He added, "two had no recurrence (of symptoms), so that his life changed completely in a very drastic."
Flug's theory is that a type of white blood cells, B cells produce an antibody that attacks the body. Thus, when the drug "clean" lymphocytes, in some cases can "reboot" the immune system. However, in certain patients with fatigue symptoms return when there are more lymphocytes B. " The fact that some patients respond to treatment with an improvement in cognitive function, fatigue and pain makes us think we're playing one of the central mechanisms , "acknowledges the expert, was quoted by Europa Press.
Scientists are now investigating the effect of providing more doses over a longer period of time. If your hunches are correct must respond to more questions, for example, what actually is attacking the immune system and if possible, or not develop a test for chronic fatigue.
