Octopus Trial Aims to Speed Up Progressive MS Treatment Breakthroughs
The groundbreaking Octopus trial, led by experts from Queen Square MS Centre and the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at University College London (UCL), is backed by the MS Society. This multi-arm, multi-stage platform is set to revolutionise how progressive MS treatments are tested — working up to three times faster than traditional trials.
Faster Trials Inspired by Cancer Success
This swift approach isn’t new. The MRC’s STAMPEDE trial used the same design to transform prostate cancer treatment worldwide, answering eight key research questions in just 15 years instead of 50. Now, the Octopus team hopes to replicate that speed for progressive MS.
Living with Progressive MS in the UK
Over 130,000 people in the UK live with MS, with tens of thousands facing relentless progression. Nerve degeneration in the brain drives disability — a process sped up in MS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s — yet no treatments currently target this.
Top experts and people with MS reviewed existing drugs that might protect nerves. R/S alpha lipoic acid and metformin emerged as star candidates and are the first two being tested in Octopus.
Meet One of the First Fighters: Ailsa Guidi
Ailsa Guidi, 47, from Surrey, joined Octopus after her MS shifted from relapsing to secondary progressive last year. Mobility issues and constant fatigue disrupt her daily life. She says:
“When diagnosed with MS in 1999, doctors got me on disease modifying therapy right away. But after a 2015 relapse, I never fully recovered. My mobility’s permanently affected — I always need a walking aid or wheelchair, and I use an electric trike for walks.
In February 2022, my neurologist confirmed the shift to secondary progressive MS. I’d sensed it coming but didn’t want to hear it. There are only two treatments that help some people with this stage — and unfortunately, I’m not eligible.”
“A family friend told me, ‘It’s a good time to have MS with all the research happening.’ My husband found out about Octopus in a newsletter and signed me up — I was focused on managing MS and left it to him!
Since being accepted last month, I’m excited to join those pushing MS research forward. Octopus gives me hope that new treatments for progressive MS are on the horizon.”
Trailblazing New Frontiers in MS Research
Professor Jeremy Chataway, lead neurologist on Octopus, has championed this trial approach for over a decade. He explains:
“The multi-arm, multi-stage method has transformed trials in other illnesses. I’m thrilled to bring it to progressive MS. Octopus promises faster access to more treatments for people with MS.”
“This achievement is thanks to efforts nationwide. Our previous MS trial, MS-STAT2, proved we can run large-scale UK-wide studies.”
“Now we’re ramping up, embarking on a new journey to crack progressive MS – and our amazing community is key to success.”
Decades Faster Answers: The STAMPEDE Effect
Professor Max Parmar, UCL MRC Clinical Trials Unit Director and Octopus co-lead, pioneered the multi-arm, multi-stage trial design with STAMPEDE. He says:
“When MS Society asked me to help create one of the first neurological trials using this method, I jumped at the chance. Octopus builds on STAMPEDE’s success with even more advanced features.”
“STAMPEDE showed us how to get treatment answers decades faster. We need inclusive trials and speed for MS — that’s exactly what Octopus aims to deliver.”
A Momentous Milestone for MS
Dr Emma Gray, Assistant Director of Research at MS Society, says:
“Opening the world’s first multi-arm multi-stage trial for MS is a huge milestone. More than 130,000 people in the UK live with MS, tens of thousands with progressive forms have few treatment options.”
“By repurposing approved drugs that could protect nerves, we aim to fast-track new MS treatments.”
The trial also enjoys support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research UCLH Biomedical Research Centre.
How to Join the Octopus Trial
Participants are now being recruited at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). Other sites gearing up to open include Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Coventry, Leeds, and Southampton.
Eventually, Octopus will run at up to 30 UK sites, covering Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, the West Midlands, and Southern England.
If you have primary or secondary progressive MS and live in the UK, you can register your interest via the UK MS Register. Don’t miss your chance to help speed up MS treatment breakthroughs!
