LOL @ wanting to shoot the naysayers!
I listened to the conference call too, and I found a lot of positives in the data. Let's hope you get the news soon and that you make those MRTCs this time!

From what I understand so far about the trial, the results were viewed as not nearly as positive (as some people might have expected) in terms of relapse rates. They "expected" the Placebo arm to have annual relapse rates somewhere around .8 (similar to the initial CRAB trials):

... however the placebo group in this trial had an annualized relapse rate of only .334. ie. Even though Tovaxin still proved to reduce relapse rates to .21 vs .334 for placebo (a reduction of about 50% over Placebo) . . . because they were "expecting" a .8 Placebo rate (similar to the CRABs), it made this treatment "appear" not as effective as it probably is.

I think they should at least be able to take an "average" from the other trials, as obviously something went wrong here.

From what I gathered of the conference call, they think this happened because although everyone from both arms had a similar relapse history . . . they inadvertantly put the people with the most disease activity (number of active lesions at the start of the trial) in the treatment arm of the trial, and the one's with the least in the Placebo arm.

Seems like perhaps a silly mistake to make, but if it's true (or they had instead mistakingly put the "active disease participants" in the placebo arm), we certainly would have "appeared" to get entirely different results.

(Not that I think relapse rates are the end-all, be-all for evaluating the efficacy of these drugs anyway, but it is one of the current secondary measures . . . )

Cherie

I know who HE is, Cheryl... I went over there and read a bit and laughed my head off. Don't let any big mouth know it all, know nothings, P you O. Certain tranparency and stupidity loom large, in certain places, by certain people..

Good for you for keeping your cool...you're a better person for it.

The bottom line is that the trial was too small.

Ok....what?

I have to go back and read this again.

Give me time here.....

I've heard that many of the trial patients have been unblinded today. I never got a call....

Cherie, have you heard from Sweetyhide???

I've "seen" her around, but she's in a very bad way at the moment and not talking the last few days.

Cherie

I am sorry to hear that. I know there is some "bickering" at the other forum and I hope that isn't adding to her stress. It's stupid what's going on.

I've not heard from my site coordinator, I guess the unblinding results are slow moving West

Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama people have checked in that they've heard. Oh well, whatever!

Amen to the stupid stuff!
But my issues are un-ms-related - for a change!

Cheryl I called my coordinator and told her to find out. She did and called me back. I was on the placebo. Yes I did remarkably well - overall.
Glad of that.

edited to add:
Just got a call from my coordinator and they dont have to reschedule me (because of storm).
My vaccine is made and I get it tomorrow!

I am sticking to Tovaxin as long as they will have me.
My faith in my decision hasn't changed.

Good luck to you too!

I called today and left an email but I never heard anything back.

I am glad you are sticking with the trial. I will too, if I get back in! I am waiting for the results of the last MRTC blood draw.