Prof G Giovannoni, Prof D Baker
No more applications being accepted
About the Project
Applications are invited from medical doctors interested in neurology at completion of CT or at ST3 level to work with the MS Team on the SIZOMUS study (Safety of ixazomib targeting plasma cells in multiple sclerosis: A phase 1b randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial). The 3 year studentship will be based at the Royal London Hospital and Queen Mary, University of London.
MS is invariably associated with an intrathecal oligoclonal IgG response or OCBs. These OCBs may be targeting self-antigens and may be therefore responsible for driving progressive MS pathology. None of the currently licensed DMT have been convincingly shown to eliminate the intrathecal OCBs in people with MS (PwMS). We, therefore, hypothesise that it is important to target intrathecal plasma cells therapeutically to delay the clinically-apparent progressive phase of MS. Bortezomib and the immunoproteasome inhibitor ONX-0914 have been shown to be effective in EAE an experimental model of MS. We hypothesise therefore that the new generation proteasome inhibitor ixazomib will be effective on the intrathecal plasma cells and reduce the oligoclonal immunoglobulin and kappa signature.
The PhD studentship is flexible but will be laboratory based developing novel techniques, and will also involve direct patient interaction and lumbar punctures.
Funding Notes
This 3 year PhD studentship is funded by Takeda and sponsored by Barts Health NHS Trust as a Clinical Research Fellowship salary including London weighting at £44,307 (with possible incremental rises each year). Applicants must be medically qualified. It is open to UK Nationals, EEA/Swiss migrant workers and non-UK nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK who will have three years ordinary residence in the EU prior to the start of the studentship. University tuition fees (at UK/EU levels) will be met by the funding body. The studentship is available to start immediately.
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