Swansea Bay delivers new 10-minute MS injection in UK first

A Swansea mum has become the first person in the UK to receive a new 10-minute injection to help prevent the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Emma Cullen previously had to undergo an intravenous (IV) infusion twice a year which would take up to four hours during each visit.

But the medication ocrelizumab, which helps to prevent relapses and slow the progression of MS, has now been approved to be given via an under-the-skin injection.

MS, which is lifelong, happens when a person’s immune system attacks their brain and spinal cord.

Pictured: Emma, who received the first injection, with the MS team and Jill Rowe Neurology Ambulatory Unit staff.

The immune system creates cells that attack and kill viruses in the body but for those with MS, the cells attack the nerves instead.

Ocrelizumab sticks to one type of the cells, called B cells, and helps to eliminate them to stop them reaching and attacking the brain and spinal cord.

The treatment is specifically used for patients with active relapsing MS (where symptoms can flare-up but then go away or get better) or early primary progressive MS (where symptoms slowly get worse over time).

Swansea Bay was previously involved in the original clinical trial for the drug and has now administered the first injection at the Jill Rowe Neurology Ambulatory Unit in Morriston Hospital.

For Emma, the new procedure is a game-changer.

“Initially I was taken into hospital with a suspected stroke as I had lost all feeling in my left side, my face had drooped and I had pins and needles,” the civil servant said.

“I went to the Emergency Department and had a CT scan, which came back clear.

“I was referred for an MRI scan, which said there were multiple lesions in my brain and spinal cord. It was all a shock.”

Emma had to wait for another episode to occur before clinicians could confirm if she had MS.

Two years later, while out with her partner and daughter, she lost all feeling on the left side of her body again and was later diagnosed with the condition.

“As soon as I got over the shock of it, my mindset turned to wanting to do everything I could to prevent it getting worse,” Emma added.

“I started taking ocrelizumab, which used to be about four hours of IV treatment every six months.

“Since taking it, I haven’t had a relapse at all and there have been no signs of any new lesions on MRI scans.

“Dr Owen Pearson rang me and explained about the new method and I jumped at it.

“It’s exactly the same treatment, just through a different method, and it will mean more people can be seen and treated quicker.”

The new method will reduce the time patients have to undergo treatment, which will see them return to their daily activities much quicker than before.

It will also create more time for staff to see and treat more patients too.

Dr Owen Pearson (pictured), consultant neurologist at Morriston Hospital, said: “Whereas a patient would need to spend all day on the unit, hopefully we can now treat them in a much quicker timeframe.

“They can then return to their daily activities or even return to work.

“From our point of view, it means we can treat more people a day.

“We can also shorten the time patients wait for treatment too. The quicker we can treat people, the better.

“This form of treatment gives patients the best chance of being stable and continuing to live their lives.

“The drug is one of the most effective forms of treatment and can reduce the risk of relapse for patients by over 80 per cent.”

Emma Horton is an MS clinical nurse specialist and supports patients in the process of choosing which treatment is best for them.

She said: “This will enable patients to come to the unit for a much shorter time. It is life-changing for them.

“They may not have to take a day off work or they can return to work as well.

“It is going to be really beneficial for our patients and we are really excited.”

Speaking of her experience of receiving the under-the-skin injection, Emma said: “I didn’t feel a thing and it didn’t even feel as though 10 minutes had passed.

“I was just amazed – the 10 minutes felt so quick.

“My job has always been really accommodating and given me time off to have the infusions but now it does give me the option to go back to work.

“It is a game-changer and I am so grateful to Dr Pearson and the team for allowing me the opportunity to be the first person in the UK to receive it.

“I feel very lucky and would encourage all existing and new patients to consider this new way of administering the treatment.”

Alexandra Strong, Jill Rowe Neurology Ambulatory Unit manager, said: “It was exciting to have the first patient in the UK at the unit.

“The new method will mean less time in hospital for patients and will allow us to be more flexible and provide treatment more quickly from the point of referral.

“It is an exciting change for our patients who have ocrelizumab infusions in the unit, who in time will all receive the offer of switching to the under-the-skin injection too.”