The researchers were led by Eric J. Sorenson, MD, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota "While this is very disappointing, at least it was definitive and gives, I think, a pretty definitive answer, at least for this strategy for this drug," Dr. Sorenson said. However, he added, "there is still a great deal of evidence that the IGF-1 pathway can be beneficial to people who have ALS, but just not the way we administered it. "Novel methods of delivering IGF-1 in a more selected fashion are now under way, including the use of viral mediators or stem cells. Two previous phase 3 trials of IGF-1 in ALS showed inconsistent results: 1 trial, carried out in North America, did find a benefit, whereas the other, a European trial, did not confirm the earlier findings. "The results of our study most resemble those of the previous European study, with no benefit in either survival or functional scales,", De Sorenson concludes. "It is disappointing that we were unable to confirm the benefit that was noted in the previous North American study." Conclusive evidence points, what Iplex (and any form of IGF-1) cant slow progression in human ALS. Lot of sites that have published articles about the link between Lyme disease and ALS are sponsored by clinics specializing in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease, or by the sellers of products for treating this, or both. Myotonia congenita
Myotonia congenita is a genetic muscle disorder.
Mecasermin rinfabate (INN, USAN) (brand name Iplex), also known as rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3, is a drug consisting of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and recombinant human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) which is used for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs disease).It is similar in action to mecasermin, but with fewer side effects (such as hypoglycemia). Potential uses
Mecasermin rinfabate was developed by INSMED corporation for the treatment of growth failure in children with severe primary IGF-I deficiency (primary IGFD) or with growth hormone (GH) gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to GH. Due to a patent settlement, Iplex is being taken off the market for short stature related indications. However, Iplex is being studied as a treatment for other several serious medical conditions. On March 11, 2009 the FDA announced that mecasermin rinfabate would be made available to Americans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrigs disease, as a part of a clinical trial. The drug is currently available in Italy for this  condition. Myotonic muscular dystrophy
Iplex was investigated in a Phase II clinical study at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, with funding provided by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the National Institutes of Health. This Phase II program studied the safety and tolerability of once-daily, subcutaneous injection of Iplex in patients with MMD.