Major MND breakthrough as ‘Jai July’ begins
In what is the perfect start to Jai July there has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions like MND.
In what is the perfect start to ‘Jai July’, the University of Queensland (UQ) has revealed that they have made a major breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions like Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The Australian sporting world was left rocked when NRL star Jai Arrow revealed in May that he had to medically retire after he was diagnosed with MND.
The disease is considered a death sentence, with the average life expectancy just 2-3 years from diagnosis, according to MND Australia.
However, as the NRL prepares for Friday night’s opening clash of Jai July – where every try scored will see $1000 donated to the Arrow family – there has been a major breakthrough that provides hope not just for Arrow but for all diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition.
UQ scientists, along with global experts, have uncovered the molecular make-up of a receptor found on the surface of many immune cells called C5aR2.
That finding has allowed them to develop R8Y, a molecule that specifically binds to C5aR.
“With this knowledge, it’s possible we could have an anti-inflammatory drug treatment for testing in MND patients within 5 years, possibly turning the disease into a long-term chronic condition rather than an acute terminal illness,’’ Professor Trent Woodruff said in a statement to UQ.
“The drug we developed as part of this study, called R8Y, is a molecule that specifically binds to C5aR2.
“This allowed us to see the structure and function of the receptor which led to the discovery that C5aR2 does not behave like most other receptors.
“It is unable to couple to G proteins — a rare and important distinction which explains why it’s been so difficult to target and why its role in inflammation has been so elusive.
“Using the drug we created, our international partners created a model of the drug bound to the receptor, giving us vital information around how the drug binds to the receptor and how the receptor signals.”
The superdrug could provide an everlasting legacy for AFL legend Neale Daniher, with essential funding for UQ’s research coming from his charity FightMND.
The organisation that runs the Big Freeze has been providing money to research a cure for more than a decade.
“FightMND is proud to support this important research,’’ Cure Research Manager Dr Michelle Kouspou said.
“We look forward to seeing this research advance and bringing us closer to better treatments for people living with the disease.’’
Researchers are now working to develop “even better anti-inflammatory drugs” for tough-to-treat neurodegenerative diseases like MND, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
They are hoping it will be available for testing in MND patients within five years.
It is a perfect start to Jai July, where every try scored will see $1000 donated to the Arrow family.
Neurology expert sheds light on MND following NRL player Jai Arrow’s diagnosis
Arrow’s former club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will face the Penrith Panthers in the first game of July on Friday night.
The NRL will then throw Jai ‘the World’s Biggest Birthday Party’ on July 12 as the centrepiece of a series of fundraising activities to support his fight against MND.
“On July 12, we will throw the biggest birthday party in the world for Jai. It will be a huge occasion with the whole game involved,” the NRL said in a statement earlier this week.
“This is not just for Rabbitohs and Knights fans – it’s for everyone in the game to get behind.
“Don’t bring presents. Bring a donation. And help Jai get through this with everyone in the Rugby League community behind him.”