Two Norwegian scientists, Øystein Fluge and Olav Mella, who have been researching the effects of an anti-lymphoma drug called Rituximab on people with ME/CFS, talked about their work on the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire programme ‘Naked Scientists’ on Sunday, 22 March.

Link to interview on BBC iPlayer.  It begins 39 minutes in.

Link to transcript made by Mr Russell Fleming

Link to discussion about the programme on Phoenix rising: Øystein Fluge and Olav Mella interviewed on BBC Radio

In The Biggest Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Trial Begins: Fluge/Mella On Rituximab, Cort Johnson describes phase III of the Rituximab trial taking place during 2015, and explores Drs Fluge and Mella’s sub studies into the effect of Rituximab on blood vessels (endothelial dysfunction), exercise (cardiopulmonary test results) and gastrointestinal symptoms. They will also be carrying out genetic studies of patients and their families.

Second drug trial

Dr Fluge began another immunomodulatory drug trial in Spring 2015, in three sets of ME/CFS patients: ME/CFS patients who have not treated before with rituximab, in nonresponders to rituximab treatment, and in patients with a clear response to rituximab but with evidence of gradual relapse.

Cyclophosphamide infusions will be given once every four weeks to up to 30 patients to see if their condition improves. This second drug is traditionally used to treat some types of malignancy – such as leukaemias and lymphomas.

More info: Second anti-cancer drug now being investigated in Norway for treatment of ME/CFS

Fluge, Mella, and Haukeland University Hospital in the news [English translation of a Norwegian newspaper article which talks about the Rituximab research studies, Fluge & Mella, etc. Also has some quotes from Dr. Maria Gjerpe]

Looking for answers to ME riddle, by Teresa Grøtan