Is a hypothetical melanoma-like neuromelanin the underlying factor essential for the aetiopathogenesis and clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis?

The possible effects of the solar and geomagnetic activity on multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Increasing observational evidence on the biological effects of Space Weather suggests that geomagnetic disturbances may be an environmental risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses. In the present study, we aim to investigate the possible effect of geomagnetic disturbances on MS activity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

MS patient admittance rates were correlated with the solar and geophysical data covering an eleven-year period (1996-2006, 23rd solar cycle). We also examined the relationship of patterns of the solar flares, the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the solar wind with the recorded MS admission numbers.

RESULTS

The rate of MS patient admittance due to acute relapses was found to be associated with the solar and geomagnetic events. There was a "primary" peak in MS admittance rates shortly after intense geomagnetic storms followed by a "secondary" peak 7-8 months later.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the geomagnetic and solar activity may represent an environmental health risk factor for multiple sclerosis and we discuss the possible mechanisms underlying this association. More data from larger case series are needed to confirm these preliminary results and to explore the possible influence of Space Weather on the biological and radiological markers of the disease.

The biography of the immune system and the control of cancer: from St Peregrine to contemporary vaccination strategies

BACKGROUND

The historical basis and contemporary evidence for the use of immune strategies for prevention of malignancies are reviewed. Emphasis is focussed on the Febrile Infections and Melanoma (FEBIM) study on melanoma and on malignancies that seem to be related to an overexpression of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K).

DISCUSSION

It is claimed that, as a result of recent observational studies, measures for prevention of some malignancies such as melanoma and certain forms of leukaemia are already at hand: vaccination with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) of new-borns and vaccination with the yellow fever 17D (YFV) vaccine of adults. While the evidence of their benefit for prevention of malignancies requires substantiation, the observations that vaccinations with BCG and/or vaccinia early in life improved the outcome of patients after surgical therapy of melanoma are of practical relevance as the survival advantage conferred by prior vaccination is greater than any contemporary adjuvant therapy.

SUMMARY

The reviewed findings open a debate as to whether controlled vaccination studies should be conducted in patients and/or regions for whom/where they are needed most urgently. A study proposal is made and discussed. If protection is confirmed, the development of novel recombinant vaccines with wider ranges of protection based, most likely, on BCG, YFV or vaccinia, could be attempted.