BVT Safe for Patients with MS

Honeybee Venom Extract is Safe for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Drug Week, 3/10/2006

Honeybee venom extract is a safe treatment for patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

According to recent research from the United States, "Although several reports suggest that bee venom may be an effective treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), patients may be subjected to real risks of serious allergic reactions as well as emotional and economic costs. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety of bee venom extract as a possible treatment for patients with progressive forms of MS."

"A total of nine bee venom nonallergic patients with progressive forms of MS, who were 21-55 years of age with no other illnesses, were entered into four groups (A, B, C, and D) on a structured one-year immunization schedule," explained Henry J. Castro and colleagues at Georgetown University. . .

"Although no serious adverse allergic reactions were observed in any of the nine subjects, four experienced worsening of neurological symptoms, requiring termination in the study; this could not be ascribed to side effects of the therapy. Of the remaining five subjects, three felt that the therapy had subjective amelioration of symptoms and two showed objective improvement," reported Castro and his collaborators. . .

Castro and his coauthors published their study in Allergy and Asthma Proceedings (A phase I study of the safety of honeybee venom extract as a possible treatment for patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. Allergy Asthma Proc, 2005;26(6):470-476).

For additional information, contact Joseph A. Bellanti, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA. E-mail: bellantj@georgetown.edu.